Charles Milliard to enter race to replace Pablo Rodriguez as Quebec Liberal leader

By Canadian Press on January 6, 2026.

QUÉBEC — Businessman Charles Milliard is the first candidate to announce he’s entering the race to lead the Quebec Liberal Party.

Milliard, born in 1979, published a video on social media today in which he promised to fight for Quebecers.

The former head of the federation of Quebec chambers of commerce finished second to Pablo Rodriguez in last year’s leadership race.

Rodriguez resigned in December amid allegations of vote-buying and reimbursed donations during his leadership campaign. He has maintained he did nothing wrong.

The nine-week race to replace him will officially begin on Jan. 12, and candidates will be required to collect 750 signatures from party members in good standing and pay a deposit of $30,000.

The new leader will be chosen on March 14, less than seven months before the general election scheduled for Oct. 5.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 6, 2026.

The Canadian Press