Marc Tanguay says he's not seeking leadership of Quebec Liberals

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QUEBEC — Another veteran Liberal has announced he will not seek the leadership of the Quebec party, leaving the potential pool of candidates even thinner.

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One day after news broke that some of his fellow Liberals were uncomfortable that he was doing the job of interim leader while remaining a possible candidate for the full-time job, LaFontaine MNA Marc Tanguay cleared the air Wednesday and announced he’s out of the race.

“As interim leader of the Liberal Party of Quebec, the only thing motivating my actions are the interests of the party,” Tanguay said in a statement released to the media. “The important work relaunching (the party) is already started.

“In order to accomplish this significant responsibility, and in the interests of the party, I will continue to serve as interim leader until the leadership race is complete. Faced with the numerous challenges in front of us, this is how I can best serve. I will thus not be a candidate for the leadership.”

Tanguay took over as interim leader in November 2022, three days after leader Dominique Anglade resigned in the wake of the party’s catastrophic results in the general election.

Since then, he has kept the door open to a possible run for the permanent leader’s job. As late as last week, he was repeating that he wanted to see the rules of the race before deciding one way or another. Those rules aren’t expected to be approved until October, when the party meets for a general council in Drummondville.

On Wednesday, Radio-Canada reported that Tanguay’s position in both camps was causing a malaise in the caucus and among the Liberal troops.

“It’s a lack of leadership on his part,” one Liberal MNA told the network, which kept the person’s identity secret. “It weakens him and it weakens the party.”

Tanguay’s decision means the pool of potential candidates is even smaller. On Monday, Nelligan MNA Monsef Derraji announced he would not run. Pontiac MNA André Fortin, who expressed interest in the race, also pulled out this summer.

The only sitting member of the caucus who has still expressed potential interest is Marguerite-Bourgeoys MNA Frédéric Beauchemin.

The job has not generated much interest outside the provincial party either. Joël Lightbound, federal Liberal MP for the riding of Louis-Hébert, is the name most often mentioned, but he says he is still reflecting and would like to complete his mandate in Ottawa.

In his statement, Tanguay said he is happy with the work he has done as interim leader.

“As the MNA for LaFontaine for the last 11 years, serving the population has always been my priority,” he said. “Today, as leader of the official opposition, I am guided by the same agenda. Our duty, as a caucus, requires rigorous work on the ground and the greatest possible unity.

“I am proud of our Liberal team and the work we have accomplished over the last year. Each day we continue to defend the interests of Quebecers.”

pauthier@postmedia.com

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