Pablo Rodriguez to resign from cabinet, seek Quebec Liberal leadership: sources

Federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez is expected to resign from cabinet in order to seek the leadership of the Liberal Party of Quebec, CBC News and Radio-Canada sources say.

Rodriguez is expected to make a statement about his cabinet resignation on Thursday in Gatineau, Que. 

CBC News has agreed to keep the identities of the sources confidential because they are not authorized to speak. 

Rodriguez also serves as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Quebec lieutenant. 

The Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ) has been without an official leader since Dominique Anglade resigned in November following the party’s crushing defeat in the Quebec 2022 election. The party won less than 15 per cent of the popular vote — the lowest vote share in its history.

Liberal member of the National Assembly Marc Tanguay was named interim leader but said last year he would not seek the party leadership. 

It is believed that Rodriguez’s background as the son of an immigrant, a student in Sherbrooke, a member of the youth commission of the Quebec Liberal Party in the 1990s and a federal minister could resonate with Liberal activists. According to one source, he would bring a breath of fresh air to the provincial Liberals.

The Quebec lieutenant will be up against former immigration minister and former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre and Montreal MNA Frédéric Beauchemin.

Charles Milliard, the former president and general manager of the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce, and Matane lawyer Marc Bélanger have also announced their candidacy. 

The race will officially begin in 2025, and the PLQ’s new leader will be announced on June 14 in Quebec City.

Federal Public Services Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said on Wednesday that he’s very grateful for what Rodriguez has done for Canada and his departure “leaves a hole” in cabinet. 

“He’s a very imposing man in our cabinet and in our caucus, but there are a lot of other MPs and ministers that will stay behind and keep fighting for the interest of Quebecers and Canadians,” Duclos said.  

‘Immense respect for Pablo,’ MP says

Describing Rodriguez as a political mentor, MP Soraya Martinez Ferrada said Rodriguez has given his life to politics. 

“I have immense respect for Pablo,” she said. “If he’s announcing that he’s going to Quebec, it’s not because of opportunism.” 

At the National Assembly, the Liberal member for Pontiac, André Fortin, noted on Wednesday that Rodriguez has a “long list of accomplishments federally.”

“He’s somebody who brings a wealth of experience so I can’t wait to see what he has to say to party members and Quebecers,” Fortin said. He noted that it would be good to have “economic candidates, to have young candidates who can really portray a sense of renewal for the party.” 

Asked about Rodriguez’s interest in the PLQ, Quebec Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault said Wednesday it would be good to have another transport minister with a “Quebec sensibility.” 

“Because we know we need money for our roads and public transit and there’s some disengagement from the federal government in terms of financing,” Guilbault said.

Of the PLQ’s 19 elected members, only two have spoken out on the leadership race so far.

Chomedey MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier said she is supporting Frédéric Beauchemin, while Désirée McGraw said she would back Rodriguez even before he announced his decision.