2025 Quebec Liberal Party leadership election explained
| Election Name: | 2025 Quebec Liberal Party leadership election |
| Country: | Quebec |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | yes |
| Previous Election: | 2020 Quebec Liberal Party leadership election |
| Previous Year: | 2020 |
| Election Date: | June 9–14, 2025 |
| 4Blank: | First Ballot |
| 3Blank: | Second Ballot |
| 2Blank: | Percentage |
| 1Blank: | Delegate Count |
| Leader |
| Before Election: | Marc Tanguay (interim) |
| After Election: | TBD |
The 2025 Quebec Liberal Party leadership election will be held from June 9 to 14, 2025,[1] to elect a new leader to replace Dominique Anglade, who announced her resignation on November 7, 2022 amid mounting criticism within the party for her performance in the 2022 Quebec general election and for her subsequent decision to remove Liberal MNA Marie-Claude Nichols from caucus.[2] Anglade had led the party to losses in the election held a month earlier, finishing with only 21 seats and 14% of the popular vote, their lowest seat count since 1956 and their lowest share of the popular vote in their history; while the party remained the official opposition, they fell behind the governing Coalition Avenir Québec and opposition Parti Québécois and Québec solidaire to place fourth in the popular vote.[3] [4]
Rules and procedures
The race will officially start on January 13, 2025. Candidate registration will be available between the start of the race and April 11. To be registered in the race, candidates would need to collect signatures from 750 party members from at least 70 electoral districts and 12 administrative regions with 350 of those needing to be new members who became ones after May 27, 2024, and to deposit an $40,000 entry fee. The spending limit will be $400,000. The voting period will be between June 9 and 14, 2025, with every members of the party who were members on May 20 being able to vote. Points will be allocated to candidates with each electoral district having 2,000 points to be distributed according to the vote of members 26 years old and older, for a total of 250,000 points, and 125,000 points will be allocated according to the vote of members 25 years old and younger. The candidate who win over 50% of the total amount of points become leader of the party. If no candidates reach this threshold, a second round will be organized between the two candidates who received the most points from the first round. The new leader will be announced on July 14 during a convention in Quebec City.[5] [6] [7]
The requirements to enter the race, the spending limit and timeframes for the start of the race and the election, set in late 2024 and in the spring of 2025, respectively, were announced in October 2023.[8] [9] The precise dates of the start of the race and the voting period and other parts of the procedure were announced in April 2024.
Debates
In April 2024, the party announced that, if more than one candidate is running for election, four debates will be organized between April 12 and June 8, 2025.
Candidates
Declared
Expressed interest
Declined
- Gaétan Barrette, Minister of Health and Social Services (2014–2018), MNA for La Pinière (2014–2022).[17]
- Karl Blackburn, President of the Conseil du patronat du Québec (2020–present), Director General of the Quebec Liberal Party (2009–2013), MNA for Roberval (2003–2007).[18]
- , President and CEO of Hydro-Québec (2020–2023).[19]
- Madwa-Nika Cadet, Co-president of the Committee on the Revival of the QLP (2023), MNA for Bourassa-Sauvé (2022–present).[20]
- François-Philippe Champagne, federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (2021–present), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2019–2021), Minister of Infrastructure and Communities (2018–2019), Minister of International Trade (2017–2018), MP for Saint-Maurice—Champlain (2015–present).[21]
- Guy Cormier, President and CEO of Desjardins Group (2016–present).[22]
- , Candidate in the 2020 Quebec Liberal Party leadership election, Mayor of Drummondville (2013–2020), President of the Union des Municipalités du Québec (2017–2019).[23] [24]
- Monsef Derraji, MNA for Nelligan (2018–present).[25]
- Antoine Dionne Charest, Member of the Committee on the Revival of the QLP (2023), Son of former premier Jean Charest.[26] [27]
- Mario Dumont, Leader of the Action Démocratique du Québec (1994–2009), Leader of the Official Opposition (2007–2008), MNA for Rivière-du-Loup (1994–2009).[28]
- André Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification (2017–2018), MNA for Pontiac (2014–present).[29]
- Jean-Marc Fournier, Interim Leader of the Quebec Liberal Party (2012–2013), Leader of the Official Opposition (2012–2013), Minister of Justice (2010–2012), Leader of the government in parliament (2007–2008; 2010–2012; 2014–2018), Minister of Revenue (2007–2008), Minister of Education, Leisure and Sports (2005–2007), Minister of Municipal Affairs, Sports and Leisure (2003–2005), MNA for Châteauguay (1994–2008), MNA for Saint-Laurent (2010–2018).[30]
- Sam Hamad, President of the Treasury Board (2016), Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity (2015–2016), Minister of Labour (2014–2015), Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade (2011–2012), Minister of Transport (2010–2011), Minister of Labour (2009–2010), Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity (2007–2010), Minister of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Parks (2003–2005), MNA for Louis-Hébert (2003–2017).[31]
- Balarama Holness, Candidate in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce in 2022, Leader of Bloc Montreal (2022–present), Candidate for Mayor of Montreal in 2021, Leader of Mouvement Montréal (2021–present), Former canadian football player.[32]
- Joël Lightbound, MP for Louis-Hébert (2015–present).[33]
- Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Quebec City (2021–present).[34] [35]
- Pierre Moreau, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources (2017–2018), President of the Treasury Board (2017), Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports (2016), Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy (2014–2016), Candidate in the 2013 Quebec Liberal Party leadership election, Minister of Transport (2011–2012), Minister responsible for Canadian Intergovernmental Affairs and the Canadian Francophonie (2011), MNA for Marguerite-D'Youville (2003–2007) and Châteauguay (2008–2018).[36]
- André Pratte, Co-president of the Committee on the Revival of the QLP (2023), Federal Senator for De Salaberry (2016–2019).[37]
- Alain Rayes, Quebec lieutenant for the Conservative Party of Canada (2017–2020; 2021–2022), MP for Richmond—Arthabaska (2015–present), Mayor of Victoriaville (2009–2015).[38]
- Marwah Rizqy, MNA for Saint-Laurent (2018–present).[39]
- Marc Tanguay, Interim Leader of the Quebec Liberal Party (2022–present), Leader of the Official Opposition (2022–present), MNA for LaFontaine (2012–present).[40]
- , Mayor of Victoriaville (2021–present), Mayor of Daveluyville (2013–2016), Former ice hockey goaltender.[41]
Endorsements
Declined to endorse
Opinion polling
Leadership election
Liberal supporters
Polling firm!align="center" style="width:40px;"| Last date of polling | Sample
size | Source | Margin of
error | Pierre Arcand | Gaétan Barrette | Frédéric Beauchemin | Marc Bélanger | Karl Blackburn | Sophie Brochu | François-Philippe Champagne | Denis Coderre | Alexandre Cusson | Monsef Derraji | Antoine Dionne Charest | André Fortin | Balarama Holness | Joël Lightbound | Charles Milliard | Pierre Moreau | André Pratte | Alain Rayes | Marwah Rizqy | Pablo Rodriguez | Marc Tanguay | Antoine Tardif | Other |
|---|
| November 11, 2024 | 107 | PDF | – | – | – | 1% | 4% | – | – | – | 13% | – | – | – | – | – | – | 4% | – | – | – | – | align=center | 28% | – | – | Undecided/refused to answer 49% |
| October 6, 2024 | 125 | PDF | – | – | – | 1% | 6% | – | – | – | 14% | – | – | – | – | – | – | 5% | – | – | – | – | align=center | 30% | – | – | Undecided/refused to answer 45% |
| August 25, 2024 | 108 | PDF | – | – | – | 1% | – | – | – | 6% | align=center | 16% | – | – | 4% | – | – | – | 7% | – | – | – | 2% | 13% | 11% | 3% | Undecided/refused to answer 37% |
| June 3, 2024 | 104 | PDF | – | – | – | 2% | – | 5% | – | – | 12% | – | – | 4% | – | – | – | 1% | – | – | – | 6% | – | align=center | 30% | 5% | Undecided/refused to answer 36% |
| February 5, 2024 | 107 | PDF | – | – | – | 3% | – | – | – | – | align=center | 27% | – | – | 11% | – | 3% | – | – | – | – | – | 10% | – | 12% | – | Undecided/refused to answer 33% |
| August 21, 2023 | 93 | PDF | – | – | – | 1% | – | – | – | – | – | 0% | 1% | – | – | 6% | 2% | – | – | – | 4% | 7% | – | align=center | 28% | – | Undecided/refused to answer 51% |
| June 12, 2023 | 112 | PDF | – | – | – | 2% | – | – | 2% | – | – | – | 0% | – | 5% | – | 1% | – | – | 1% | – | 6% | – | align=center | 27% | – | Undecided/refused to answer 55% |
| November 6, 2022 | 103 | PDF | – | 2% | 4% | – | – | – | 4% | 1% | align=center | 17% | 1% | – | – | 0% | – | 0% | – | 4% | – | – | 3% | – | 1% | – | Undecided/refused to answer 62% | |
All Quebecers
Polling firm!align="center" style="width:40px;"| Last date of polling | Sample
size | Source | Margin of
error | Pierre Arcand | Gaétan Barrette | Frédéric Beauchemin | Marc Bélanger | Karl Blackburn | Sophie Brochu | François-Philippe Champagne | Denis Coderre | Alexandre Cusson | Monsef Derraji | Antoine Dionne Charest | André Fortin | Balarama Holness | Joël Lightbound | Charles Milliard | Pierre Moreau | André Pratte | Alain Rayes | Marwah Rizqy | Pablo Rodriguez | Marc Tanguay | Antoine Tardif | Other |
|---|
| November 11, 2024 | 1,010 | PDF | ±3.08% | – | – | 2% | 3% | – | – | – | 11% | – | – | – | – | – | – | 3% | – | – | – | – | align=center | 25% | – | – | Undecided/refused to answer 56% |
| October 6, 2024 | 1,036 | PDF | ±3.04% | – | – | 3% | 3% | – | – | – | 11% | – | – | – | – | – | – | 4% | – | – | – | – | align=center | 24% | – | – | Undecided/refused to answer 55% |
| August 25, 2024 | 1,041 | PDF | ±3.04% | – | – | 1% | – | – | – | 7% | align=center | 10% | – | – | 2% | – | – | – | 3% | – | – | – | 7% | 8% | 4% | 2% | Undecided/refused to answer 57% |
| June 3, 2024 | 1,015 | PDF | ±3.08% | – | – | 2% | – | 1% | – | – | align=center | 13% | – | – | 2% | – | – | – | 2% | – | – | – | 10% | – | 7% | 3% | Undecided/refused to answer 62% |
| February 5, 2024 | 1,032 | PDF | ±3.05% | – | – | 3% | – | – | – | – | align=center | 18% | – | – | 4% | – | 2% | – | – | – | – | – | 15% | – | 4% | – | Undecided/refused to answer 55% |
| August 21, 2023 | 1,036 | PDF | ±3.04% | – | – | 2% | – | – | – | – | – | 1% | 1% | – | – | 3% | 3% | – | – | – | 4% | align=center | 11% | – | 6% | – | Undecided/refused to answer 70% |
| June 12, 2023 | 1,042 | PDF | ±3.03% | – | – | 1% | – | – | 7% | – | – | – | 1% | – | 3% | – | 3% | – | – | 1% | – | align=center | 11% | – | 6% | – | Undecided/refused to answer 68% |
| November 6, 2022 | 1,028 | PDF | ±3.1% | 4% | 2% | – | – | – | 4% | 2% | align=center | 9% | 0% | – | – | 2% | – | 2% | – | 5% | – | – | 5% | – | 1% | – | Undecided/refused to answer 65% | |
General election
Denis Coderre as leader
| Polling organisation | Last date of polling | Source | Sample size | | CAQ | QS | PQ | PLQ | | Other | Lead |
|---|
| | | | |
|---|
| Leger | November 11, 2024 | PDF | 1,010 | ±3.08% | 17 | 12 | 36 | 20 | 12 | 3 | 16 |
| Leger | October 6, 2024 | PDF | 1,036 | ±3.04% | 27 | 12 | 27 | 21 | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| Leger | August 25, 2024 | PDF | 1,041 | ±3.04% | 23 | 14 | 30 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 7 |
| Leger | February 5, 2024 | PDF | 1,032 | ±3.05% | 23 | 14 | 31 | 21 | 9 | 3 | 8 | |
Charles Milliard as leader
| Polling organisation | Last date of polling | Source | Sample size | | CAQ | QS | PQ | PLQ | | Other | Lead |
|---|
| | | | |
|---|
| Leger | November 11, 2024 | PDF | 1,010 | ±3.08% | 20 | 13 | 36 | 16 | 13 | 2 | 16 |
| Leger | August 25, 2024 | PDF | 1,041 | ±3.04% | 23 | 15 | 31 | 14 | 13 | 4 | 8 | |
Pablo Rodriguez as leader
| Polling organisation | Last date of polling | Source | Sample size | | CAQ | QS | PQ | PLQ | | Other | Lead |
|---|
| | | | |
|---|
| Leger | November 11, 2024 | PDF | 1,010 | ±3.08% | 15 | 11 | 33 | 26 | 12 | 1 | 7 |
| Leger | October 6, 2024 | PDF | 1,036 | ±3.04% | 25 | 11 | 26 | 28 | 9 | 2 | 2 |
| Leger | August 25, 2024 | PDF | 1,041 | ±3.04% | 23 | 13 | 30 | 19 | 11 | 3 | 7 | |
See also
Notes and References
- News: Julie Roy. Le prochain chef du Parti libéral du Québec sera connu le 14 juin 2025. April 19, 2024. Radio-Canada. fr. August 26, 2024.
- News: René Bruemmer. Yielding to critics, Anglade quits as Quebec Liberal leader and MNA. November 7, 2022. Montreal Gazette. en. November 7, 2022.
- News: Patrick Bellerose. Le PLQ formera l'opposition officielle. October 3, 2022. TVA Nouvelles. fr. October 4, 2022.
- News: Jacob Serebrin. Quebec opposition parties call for electoral reform after vote, seat results. October 4, 2022. The Globe and Mail. en. October 4, 2022.
- News: Hugo Pilon-Larose. Les libéraux éliront leur nouveau chef le 14 juin 2025. April 19, 2024. La Presse. fr. August 26, 2024.
- Web site: @tva_nouvelles. Course au PLQ: un nouveau chef sera désigné le 14 juin 2025 - explications 18h. April 19, 2024. YouTube. June 20, 2024.
- News: Vincent Larin. Le poids donné au vote des jeunes fait débat. October 8, 2024. La Presse. fr. November 24, 2024.
- News: Hugo Pilon-Larose. L’élection d’un nouveau chef en 2025 divise les libéraux. October 15, 2023. La Presse. fr. June 20, 2024.
- News: Geneviève Lajoie. Parti libéral du Québec: un nouveau chef au printemps 2025. October 13, 2023. Le Journal de Québec. fr. June 20, 2024.
- News: The Canadian Press. Chefferie du PLQ : Frédéric Beauchemin devient officiellement le quatrième candidat. September 13, 2024. Radio-Canada. fr. September 13, 2024.
- News: Pierre-Olivier Lefrançois. Un Matanais, Marc Bélanger se lance dans la course à la chefferie du PLQ. August 29, 2024. Mon Témiscouata. fr. August 29, 2024.
- News: Philippe Cantin & Nathalie Normandeau. L'avocat fiscaliste Marc Bélanger sera candidat à la chefferie du PLQ. August 28, 2024. 98,5 FM. fr. August 29, 2024.
- News: Sébastien Desrosiers & Jérôme Labbé. Denis Coderre sera candidat à la chefferie du Parti libéral du Québec. June 21, 2024. Radio-Canada. fr. June 21, 2024.
- News: Émile Bérubé-Lupien. Charles Milliard se lance dans la course à la chefferie du PLQ. August 9, 2024. Noovo Info. fr. August 10, 2024.
- News: Raphaël Pirro & QMI Agency. Pablo Rodriguez plonge dans la course au PLQ et se retire du caucus libéral. September 19, 2024. Le Journal de Montréal. fr. September 19, 2024.
- News: Geneviève Lajoie. Chefferie du PLQ: un candidat potentiel envisage une fusion avec le Parti conservateur du Québec. February 12, 2024. Le Journal de Québec. fr. February 13, 2024.
- News: Marc-André Gagnon. [SONDAGE] Possible successeur à Dominique Anglade au PLQ: Denis Coderre, seul prétendant potentiel à se démarquer]. November 7, 2022. Le Journal de Québec. fr. November 7, 2022.
- News: Megan Foy. Karl Blackburn se retire officiellement de la course. November 21, 2024. La Presse. fr. November 22, 2024.
- News: Philip Authier. Analysis: The problems Liberals face go way beyond Dominique Anglade's leadership. November 7, 2022. Montreal Gazette. en. November 7, 2022.
- News: François Carabin. André Pratte ne se lancera pas dans la course à la chefferie libérale. October 12, 2023. Le Devoir. fr. October 14, 2023.
- News: Joël-Denis Bellavance. Le ministre Champagne ne briguera pas la direction du Parti libéral du Québec. August 22, 2024. La Presse. fr. August 22, 2024.
- News: Simon Carmichael. Guy Cormier ferme la porte du PLQ à double tour. March 4, 2024. Le Droit. fr. March 4, 2024.
- News: Nicolas Lachance & Geneviève Lajoie. Six candidats pour remplacer Dominique Anglade à la chefferie du PLQ. November 7, 2022. Le Journal de Québec. fr. June 22, 2023.
- News: Marilyn Marceau . November 9, 2022 . Course à la chefferie du PLQ : un ex-candidat veut une candidature d'une minorité visible . June 22, 2023 . . fr.
- News: Marie-Michèle Sioui. Monsef Derraji ne sera finalement pas candidat à la chefferie du PLQ. November 22, 2023. Le Devoir. fr. January 13, 2024.
- News: Josée Legault. Après la dynastie Trudeau, bienvenue à la dynastie Charest. January 12, 2024. Le Journal de Montréal. fr. February 7, 2024.
- News: Paul Larocque. Le fils de Jean Charest aimerait un jour être député. May 29, 2023. TVA Nouvelles. fr. February 7, 2024.
- News: Daniel Leblanc. MacMillan voit Dumont comme potentiel chef du PLQ. September 11, 2022. Le Droit. fr. November 8, 2022.
- News: Charles Lecavalier. André Fortin ne sera pas candidat. June 28, 2023. La Presse. fr. July 15, 2023.
- News: Alain Laforest. L’ex-ministre Jean-Marc Fournier reprend du service à l’aile parlementaire libérale. March 7, 2024. TVA Nouvelles. fr. March 8, 2024.
- News: Olivier Bossé. Le choix de Hamad et les autres remplaçants potentiels d'Anglade. November 7, 2022. Le Soleil. fr. November 8, 2022.
- News: QMI Agency. Course à la direction du PLQ: «Un suicide politique» selon Holness. September 6, 2023. Le Journal de Montréal. fr. January 13, 2024.
- News: David Beauchamp. Joël Lightbound ne sera pas candidat à la chefferie du PLQ. March 11, 2024. Radio-Canada. fr. March 12, 2024.
- News: Gabriel Béland. Bruno Marchand ferme la porte au PLQ. May 29, 2023. La Presse. fr. October 6, 2023.
- News: Geneviève Lajoie. Chefferie du PLQ: des libéraux en mode recrutement pour contrer Denis Coderre. February 21, 2024. Le Journal de Québec. fr. February 21, 2024.
- News: Daniel J. Rowe. Former Liberal minister Pierre Moreau will not seek leadership. November 28, 2022. CTV News. en. December 2, 2022.
- News: Marie-Michèle Sioui. André Pratte ferme «définitivement» la porte à la chefferie du PLQ. November 21, 2023. Le Devoir. fr. January 13, 2024.
- News: Claude Thibodeau. La chefferie du PLQ, pas dans les plans d'Alain Rayes. November 8, 2022. La Nouvelle Union. fr. June 22, 2023.
- News: Marie-Michèle Sioui. Marwah Rizqy ne sera pas de la course à la chefferie du PLQ. September 22, 2023. Le Devoir. fr. October 6, 2023.
- News: Nicolas Lachance. Marc Tanguay renonce à la chefferie du PLQ. August 30, 2023. Le Journal de Québec. fr. August 31, 2023.
- News: Geneviève Lajoie. Chefferie du PLQ: le maire de Victoriaville ne sera pas de la course. August 30, 2024. Le Journal de Québec. fr. August 30, 2024.
