CAQ leadership: Drainville racks up support of 3 ministers as campaign enters last week

Former CAQ minister and leadership candidate Bernard Drainville received the backing of three of his former cabinet colleagues Monday, a day before voting begins to elect François Legault’s successor.

Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette, Minister of Health Sonia Bélanger and Transport Minister Jonatan Julien announced they are endorsing Drainville at a press conference.

“It makes me very happy, very proud, and I’m deeply touched by such support by three colleagues that I have a lot of respect and esteem and friendship for,” Drainville said.

“What you’re seeing today is the beginning or the continuation, I should say, the continuation of a movement to rally by an increasing large number of members, our campaign, our ideas, and eventually our victory.”

The backing by high-profile names comes as the campaign enters its last week. Voting for the next leader of the CAQ begins Tuesday and concludes Sunday, when the party will announce the winner and next premier of Quebec at their leadership convention in Drummondville.

“For Bernard Drainville, having these three key players sends a strong message,” said Daniel Tran, the director of communications and governmental relations at Casacom. “The message for the members of the CAQ is Bernard Drainville is the person for the people from the Coalition Avenir Québec, the one that they know that had the soul from the previous party with François Legault.”

Drainville’s only rival Christine Fréchette has consistently led in the polls and has also received the support of 16 ministers from Legault’s cabinet, including Finance Minister Éric Girard and Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau.

“But let’s be careful, because polling firms obviously don’t have access to membership lists,” said Drainville, noting that it is the party members who will choose the new leader.

“What we’re seeing in the tracking calls we’re currently conducting is that our support continues to grow.

“People who were undecided are now with us, and people who supported the other candidate, Christine, are now undecided or deciding to support us.”

“Turning point, no, not in the sense that we’re behind. I think we’re actually ahead,” Drainville added. “I think we were ahead before today, and I think this is going to accelerate the movement.”

In announcing his endorsement, Jolin-Barrette said, that Drainville is the best person to lead the Coalition Avenir Québec.

“I’ve been following the race; I’ve been able to evaluate the proposals objectively, and I’ve come to the conclusion that the core values of our political party, the CAQ, are embodied and championed by Bernard,” who is “the person best suited to become premier,” argued Jolin-Barrette.

“He’s the one that will be able to pursue our heritage on what we did on the Third Link, about the fact to defend our values, our autonomy inside Canada, our rights, how we live in Quebec. And I think that’s really fundamental.”

During the campaign, Drainville has often presented himself as the candidate best suited to defend Quebec’s identity. In one of the two debates, he accused Fréchette of flip-flopping on immigration and promised to have stricter immigration policies.

Bélanger said the former environment minister was the right choice for Quebec due to his convictions and style.

“He understands what young people and families are going through, what people in the regions are going through, and he has the courage to tell it like it really is,” Bélanger said.

The health minister also highlighted Drainville’s “love for Quebec,” his “authenticity,” and his “vision for the healthcare system.” The CAQ leadership candidate would, in particular, allow doctors practicing in the private sector to offer some of their services within the public system.

She added that is best positioned to bring the CAQ back to its roots and its core values.

Transport Minister Julien echoed Bélanger in his endorsement of Drainville, saying he would be able to take on other party leaders ahead of the provincial elections.

“Bernard Drainville brings experience, strong convictions, and a deep understanding of the regions. He has led three ministries. He has held his own in this race from the start — facing the press, weathering attacks, and holding his own in debates,” Julien said.

“Bernard is a guy who takes responsibility, who is clear, and who works hard.”

Until now, Drainville had been able to count on the support of several CAQ members of the National Assembly, the Minister for the Economy, Samuel Poulin, and leaders of the CAQ’s youth wing.

“I think it doesn’t matter who is going to be there; politicians are all the same,” said Montrealer Andrés Palomino.

“I don’t support any of the candidates, but I think Christine Fréchette is indeed the right woman for the job,” added another Montrealer.

— With files from La Presse Canadienne