Bernard Drainville Officially Enters Race to Lead CAQ, Positions Himself as 'Candidate of Change'
The political landscape in Quebec witnessed a significant development as former environment minister Bernard Drainville officially entered the race to succeed François Legault as leader of the governing Coalition Avenir Québec. Launching his campaign on Sunday morning in Lévis, where he has served as a member of the National Assembly since 2022, Drainville declared his intention to be the "candidate of change" for the party.
A Nationalist Voice for Quebec
Drainville emphasized that his decision to run stems from his belief that Quebec "needs a nationalist voice." He acknowledged that the CAQ has lost the confidence of Quebecers in recent years, stating that the party has strayed from its foundational roots and core values. "I did not enter the race to say, 'Let's continue.' I want to be the candidate of change. And yes, I will be the candidate of the real world," he told supporters during his campaign launch, which was met with applause.
Key Campaign Themes and Policy Proposals
Drainville outlined several central issues that will define his leadership campaign, with a strong focus on economic security and regional development. He is reviving the controversial "third link" project between Quebec City and Lévis, a transportation initiative that faced backlash when Legault previously cancelled plans for a car tunnel under the St. Lawrence River. Drainville argued that this project is crucial for ensuring the economic stability of the region.
Under his leadership, Drainville pledged that the CAQ would remain "the party of the economy," with commitments to support Quebec businesses and entrepreneurs. He also addressed immigration, stating "we need to get this sorted out." His proposed approach includes acquired rights for some immigrant workers under specific conditions, though he cautioned that not everyone would qualify.
- Workers must have been in Quebec for at least two years
- They must speak intermediate-level French
- They must be integrated in priority fields such as health, education, construction, and specialized manufacturing
Drainville added that for every foreign worker granted these rights, the number of future foreign workers would be reduced accordingly.
Family-Centered Policies and Union Critique
Another cornerstone of Drainville's campaign is his emphasis on family values. He stated that family matters would be "paramount" under his leadership, proposing to put money back into the wallets of middle-class families. "The family: that's paramount. It's also my greatest pride," he remarked, with his own family present at the launch event.
Drainville also took aim at unions, accusing them of being disconnected from their membership base and having become "a blockade." He expressed a desire for "common-sense unionists, connected to their members," signaling potential conflicts with organized labor if he assumes leadership.
Competitive Landscape and Support Base
Drainville's primary opponent in the leadership race is former economy and energy minister Christine Fréchette, who launched her candidacy the previous Sunday in Trois-Rivières. Fréchette has garnered support from nearly half the cabinet and other CAQ MNAs, including recent backing from Christopher Skeete, minister of international relations and the Francophonie.
Despite Fréchette's early advantage in endorsements, Drainville remains undeterred. He has secured backing from several key figures, including:
- Samuel Poulin, minister responsible for youth and minister for the economy and small and medium enterprises
- MNAs Louis Lemieux, Luc Provençal, Shirley Dorismond, Yannick Gagnon, Kariane Bourassa, Suzanne Blais, Isabelle Lecours, and Marilyne Picard
- Régine Laurent, who resigned from the Santé Québec board due to ethics code conflicts after declaring her support
"I'm going full speed ahead in this race; we're going to put forward some ideas and, at the end, I dare to believe that these ideas, combined with the drive to execute them, are what will win the day," Drainville asserted. "I won't give up."
The leadership contest promises to be intense as both candidates present contrasting visions for the future of the Coalition Avenir Québec and Quebec politics more broadly.
