Denis Coderre’s leadership bid rejected by Quebec Liberal Party

The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) announced Friday morning that it was rejecting the leadership candidacy of former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre.

In a message shared on X, the party indicated that its electoral committee had informed Coderre “that it cannot consider his declaration of candidacy as admissible.”

It is specified that under the terms of the leadership race, Coderre can appeal this decision.

“He’s been on the campaign trail, he’s been pounding the pavement, trying to meet new people,” said political analyst, Karim Boulos. “Mr. Coderre is a campaigner, if nothing else. And so I think it caught people off guard that this just was announced very cryptically as well.”

Coderre could still file his candidacy if he settles his issues with taxes before the end of the nomination period, a Liberal source told The Canadian Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the file.

“I have read the decision of the PLQ Electoral Committee, which has been delayed in being rendered. I will not comment on the subject today. I will do it at the appropriate time,” Coderre wrote on Facebook.

“This came as a surprise, I think, to many people, including, I suspect, Mr. Coderre,” Boulos added.

“Whether Denis Coderre is in the race or not, we still have excellent candidates,” said Liberal MP for Pontiac, André Fortin, who supports Charles Milliard.

Coderre’s candidacy has been in limbo for some time. Last week, the party indicated that the politician had not yet submitted all the documents necessary to make his candidacy official. These were documents related to his tax situation, according to information from The Canadian Press.

Let us recall that media outlets have reported in recent months that Denis Coderre owed more than $130,000 in taxes at the provincial level. Added to this was a debt of more than $266,000 to the Canada Revenue Agency. 

On Jan. 17, he went to the PLQ office in Quebec to submit his candidacy documents.

He then stated: “I can tell you today that everything I owe to both Revenu Québec and Revenue Canada is secure. So there is no problem on that side.” 

“I don’t think it’s ever the end for Denis Coderre,” said Boulos. “I think he’s passionate about politics. I think he’s passionate about wanting to help and represent the people. I don’t know that he could ever be faulted for wanting to give back to society.”

The nomination period ends on April 11. Other candidates declared to date are former federal minister Pablo Rodriguez, former CEO of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce Charles Milliard, tax lawyer Marc Bélanger and Beauce farmer Mario Roy.

“What will the party faithful want as their leader? Is it someone tried and true in the form of Mr. Rodriguez from years of political experience or someone brand new in politics with a very different angle?” asked Boulos.

“And then who will Quebecers gravitate to? Will the regions be turned on? Will the Liberal Party attract more than just the western part of Montreal? So I think that the new leader is going to have to check a number of boxes internally.”

The election of the new Liberal leader will take place at a convention to be held on June 14.

-With files from The Canadian Press