Article content
QUEBEC — Conseil du patronat president Karl Blackburn has announced he will not be seeking the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party owing to health issues.
Blackburn made the announcement Monday after informing his team he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and wants to focus all his efforts on getting better.
“Even if I feel energetic and the prognosis is encouraging, I am obviously conscious that I must prioritize my health in the coming months to beat this illness,” Blackburn said in a statement released to the media.
Article content
Blackburn, a former Liberal MNA, confirmed he was seriously considering running for the job, which has been vacant since the departure of Dominique Anglade after the 2022 general election. LaFontaine Liberal MNA Marc Tanguay is currently acting as interim leader.
“Over the last few months, numerous persons encouraged me to dive into the race for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party,” Blackburn said. “Those who know me know how much I love Quebec and to what point I would like to make a difference.
“Anyone who has the future of Quebec at heart and receives this kind of encouragement would seriously reflect (on running). And I reflected. Seriously.”
He goes on to say that in the coming months he will work at reconciling the time he needs to follow the medical protocol required and his work at the Conseil du patronat, Quebec’s largest employer group.
Appointed council president in June 2020, Blackburn succeeded Yves-Thomas Dorval. His name has been floating for weeks as a potential candidate for the Liberal job along with a host of others.
Born in Chicoutimi, Blackburn represented the riding of Roberval in the National Assembly from 2003 to 2007. He was widely seen as a candidate who would have been able to help the Liberals reconnect with the regions of Quebec.
His departure narrows the potential field of candidates. So far no one has officially announced they are running but several are in reflection.
The list includes Liberal MNA Frédéric Beauchemin, who represents the Montreal riding of Marguerite-Bourgeoys. Former Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre is also considering. He has said he will announce his decision this Friday in Quebec City.
Another potential candidate is Charles Milliard, who last week resigned from his job as president of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec. He is taking the summer to reflect.
Antoine Tardif, the mayor of Victoriaville, is under pressure from some Liberals to run, as is federal cabinet minister François Philippe Champagne.
To date, no women have expressed an interest in running. The Liberals will pick their new leader June 14, 2025. The next general election is in 2026.
Recommended from Editorial
Share this article in your social network