Charles Milliard Receives Hero's Welcome as New Quebec Liberal Leader
In a spirited rally at the Delta Hotel in Trois-Rivières, newly confirmed Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard was greeted by nearly 600 enthusiastic caucus members on Sunday, February 15, 2026. The event marked his first major public appearance just two days after his official confirmation as party leader, setting the stage for the upcoming provincial election campaign.
Policy Priorities and Vision for Quebec
During his address, Milliard outlined five core priorities that would define a future Liberal government: strengthening the provincial economy, improving public services, supporting Quebec's regions, promoting cultural development, and addressing the critical housing crisis. He emphasized his multifaceted political identity, stating, "I am a nationalist, I am a regionalist, I am a federalist, and no, these are not contradictory." Milliard advocated for asymmetric federalism, asserting Quebec's leadership role within Canada while maintaining its distinct character.
Specific policy measures proposed include:
- Creation of a seven-day-a-week telemedicine platform to improve healthcare accessibility
- Annual target of 100,000 housing starts to address the province's housing shortage
- Financial relief programs for small and medium-sized businesses
- Provincewide education conference to review and revitalize the school system
- Reinstatement of grandfather clauses for participants in the abolished Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ) immigration program
Addressing Party Challenges and Looking Forward
Milliard acknowledged the tumultuous period the Quebec Liberals have recently endured, marked by scandals involving party members and the resignation of former leader Pablo Rodriguez in December 2025. Rodriguez stepped down following allegations related to his leadership campaign financing, though an independent report later confirmed he had no knowledge of any wrongdoing.
"We have been through a difficult period, but today we are looking ahead," Milliard declared. "From now on, under my leadership, integrity, transparency and accountability will be the watchwords, because the party I want to govern must be beyond reproach and because trust is not something you ask for — it is something you earn."
Additional Policy Commitments
The new leader, a pharmacist by training, emphasized several other key areas of focus:
- Mental health and senior care: Prioritizing mental health services and increasing home care provisions to allow seniors to remain in their communities
- Environmental transition: Making Quebec a leader in sustainable mobility and green energy development
- Language and immigration: Defending the French language while supporting francization efforts for immigrants
- Municipal empowerment: Providing municipalities with more tools to address local issues, describing himself as "a premier of decentralization"
Political Context and Challenges Ahead
Milliard faces the significant challenge of introducing himself to Quebec voters, having never served as a member of parliament at either the federal or provincial level. Born in Lévis, he previously served as president of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec before his second-place finish in the 2025 Liberal leadership race against Rodriguez.
"I'd rather work on winning over Quebecers because they don't know me than try to change their opinion of me, which is the problem some other politicians face," Milliard remarked during a media scrum following his speech.
When questioned about being Quebec's first openly gay premier if elected, Milliard expressed confidence in voters' priorities: "It's 2026, and I think Quebecers are more concerned with having a government that works than with what the premier does."
Party Support and Next Steps
The event featured appearances by former Quebec Liberal premiers Daniel Johnson and Philippe Couillard, along with former interim leaders Marc Tanguay, Pierre Arcand, and Jean-Marc Fournier, all offering congratulations to the new leader.
Party members expressed cautious optimism about Milliard's leadership. Julie Begin, who traveled from Montreal for the event, noted, "This is all new for us. We don't want to build him up or anything — we'll see what he does — but I'm glad he's here and I'm very happy. He gives us confidence for now."
Younger Liberals appeared particularly energized by Milliard's arrival. Antoine Barrette, a 22-year-old party member from Chambly, observed, "He brings a sense of renewal and a certain nationalism that I really like. His challenge will be to make himself known and show that we are a good alternative to the Parti Québécois."
Milliard indicated that the coming week would involve crucial decisions during his first caucus meeting, including determining the future of MNA Marwah Rizqy, who was expelled from the party by Rodriguez. The next Quebec provincial election is scheduled for October 5, giving Milliard approximately eight months to establish his leadership and policy platform with voters.
