Pablo Rodriguez attacked by opponents during 4th Quebec Liberal leadership debate

Liberal leadership frontrunner Pablo Rodriguez was the target of several attacks from his opponents during the fourth debate of the race, which focused on public services.

Former president of the Conseil du patronat, Karl Blackburn, opened the debate when health care was discussed, saying: “(Pablo) you’ve defended Ottawa’s policies in Quebec City more often than Quebec City’s policies in Ottawa, and health care is a Quebec jurisdiction.”

Stung, the leader replied: “That’s a poor understanding of me, Karl. I’ve always stood up for Quebec.”

“Pablo, you don’t have much credibility.”

On the third link, the former federal minister went it alone by proposing a tunnel between Quebec City and Lévis dedicated to public transit, while his opponents favored the highway option.

“It costs $10 billion dollars less. I just saved $10 billion dollars compared to the other four candidates,” said Rodriguez.

Tax lawyer Marc Bélanger retorted that there was “no economic vision” in the former federal minister’s plan.

Blackburn then asserted: “Pablo, you don’t have much credibility in public management.”

At a press briefing after the debate, the former president of the Conseil du patronat (Confederation of Employers) added another layer. “We heard Pablo talk a lot about the Liberal Party of Canada (…) He seems to miss the Liberal Party of Canada,” he declared.

“Trudeau-Rodriguez Government”

Beauce farmer Mario Roy didn’t mince his words when accusing the “Trudeau-Rodriguez government” of having “destroyed our economy.”

Former CEO of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Charles Millard, asked Rodriguez about the federal government’s role in health and education.

Rodriguez barely had time to respond that the federal government should “support the provinces” before Milliard interrupted him to say, “The answer is nothing!”

Blackburn quickly agreed with Milliard.

A recent Léger poll indicated that 32 per cent of Liberal voters believe former federal minister Pablo Rodriguez would make the best leader for their party. His opponents are far behind.

The poll also shows that Rodriguez’s arrival as Liberal leader would significantly shift the electorate, as the PLQ would reach 31 per cent of voting intentions, one point ahead of the PQ. With Blackburn, the Liberals would rise to 25 per cent, and with Milliard, to 22 per cent.

The End of Tanguay’s Reign

The Liberals will choose their leader on June 14.

The interim reign of Liberal leader Marc Tanguay ends in less than a month. On Thursday morning, he announced that he intends not to vote for the next Liberal leader.

“I have no preference (…) As interim leader, I must maintain the utmost neutrality,” he explained.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews