A prominent Quebec radio host and the creator of the Parti Québécois’s controversial secular values charter is attempting to make a return to provincial politics, this time under the Coalition Avenir Québec banner.
The news of Bernard Drainville’s political run with Premier François Legault’s party was confirmed to Radio-Canada and The Canadian Press.
Drainville, a former PQ minister, is set to announce next week that he will be the CAQ candidate in the riding of Lévis in Quebec’s next provincial election, expected in October.
He would replace François Paradis, the current MNA for Lévis and Speaker at the National Assembly, who announced Friday that he will not seek re-election.
Montreal radio station 98.5 FM said Drainville, who will turn 59 next week, resigned Thursday from the midday radio show he had hosted for six years.
He is best known for presenting a so-called values charter when he was in government in 2013. The charter called for people who wear religious symbols to be prohibited from working in public institutions.
The idea for the charter fell when the PQ was defeated in the 2014 election, but the CAQ under Legault took up the secularism mantle and adopted Bill 21 in 2019. That law prohibits certain public employees — judges, teachers and police officers — from wearing religious symbols at work.
Drainville worked as a journalist between 1989 and 2007 before jumping to provincial politics with the PQ. He was elected four times between 2007 and 2014.
Under Pauline Marois’s short-lived minority government from 2012-14, he held the title of minister responsible for democratic institutions and citizenship participation. He was briefly the PQ House Leader between September 2015 and June 2016, before leaving politics.
CAQ is ‘PQ 2.0,’ says Liberal MNA
Marc Tanguay, the Quebec Liberal MNA for the district of Lafontaine, said this move testifies to the fact that Legault governs like the PQ.
“Bernard Drainville is a convinced separatist,” he said. “The CAQ is the new PQ 2.0.”
For Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, the co-spokesperson for Québec Solidaire, Drainville’s candidacy demonstrates Legault’s electoral strategy.
“Legault wants religious symbols and immigration to be the issues at the ballot box in the next Quebec election. It’s clearer than ever,” he said, adding the premier is ignoring problems that are happening “in the real world,” such as inflation and climate change.
Pascal Bérubé, the PQ’s language critic, questioned Drainville’s integrity as a radio host, accusing him of regularly refraining from directly attacking the CAQ. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)
For the PQ, Drainville joining the CAQ is a slap in the face and an opportunistic move, according to Pascal Bérubé, the party’s language critic.
While speaking to journalists, Bérubé questioned the integrity of the radio host, inquiring how long he had known he would be running for the CAQ.
“For years …. I say without ambiguity that he has been complacent and has always refrained from directly attacking the CAQ,” he said.
Meanwhile, Legault refused to comment on Drainville’s move on Friday, explaining that he wanted the day to be about honouring his long-time MNA Paradis.
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
