麻豆传媒

Politics

    • Charest brings both notoriety and baggage to Conservative leadership race

    Share
    MONTREAL -

    Former Quebec premier Jean Charest launched his bid for the leadership of the federal Conservative party in Calgary on Thursday, thousands of miles from the province he led for nine years.

    Two Quebec politics experts who spoke to The Canadian Press said Charest brings a high-profile name with a proven track record of winning, but also considerable baggage that could harm his chances in a general election.

    While his campaign slogan describes him as "built to win," Charest's three terms as Quebec premier were often bumpy, marked by low approval ratings, massive students protests and unproven corruption allegations that would dog him until his resignation and beyond.

    Universite Laval political science Prof. Eric Montigny describes Charest as "a divisive personality who leaves no one indifferent."

    In an interview, he said Charest's time as premier was marred by scandals and investigations which, although they did not find fault, left "big, dark clouds" on his legacy.

    They include an eight-year investigation by Quebec's anti-corruption squad, which looked at alleged illegal party financing during Charest's time as Quebec Liberal leader; the Bastarache Commission into allegations of partisan judicial appointments; and the Charbonneau Commission, which investigated corruption in the province's construction industry.

    Charest has always vigorously defended himself against all allegations, and none of the investigations found fault with him. A $1.5-million lawsuit he filed against the Quebec government over the anti-corruption unit investigation remains active. That probe, which began in 2014, was recently concluded and no charges were laid.

    He left the federal Progressive Conservatives to lead the Quebec Liberals in 1998, three years after he emerged as a fiery and passionate advocate of federalism in the 1995 Quebec independence referendum. He lost the 1998 provincial election to Lucien Bouchard's Parti Quebecois, though his party won the popular vote.

    Charest and the Liberals went on to form government in 2003 and he was re-elected with a minority government in 2007 and a majority in 2008.

    Charest exited politics in 2012 after his provincial Liberals lost an election that followed massive protests over university tuition hikes. Accused of instigating students by taking a hard line with protesters, Charest lost his own riding of Sherbrooke.

    While he's critical of his record, Montigny said Charest also had accomplishments, especially when it came to international relations. But he believes Charest is facing an uphill climb to win the federal Tory leadership race and a general election.

    But Martin Paquet, a professor of modern Quebec and Canadian political history at Universite Laval, doesn't think Charest should be counted out.

    In an interview, he described Charest as the ultimate "political animal." A devotee of Sun Tzu's book, "Art of War," Charest is also a skilled tactician who knows how to exploit his rivals' weaknesses, Paquet said.

    "He's able to sense the fault lines in a terrain and is able to see the balance of power that is present in the political space. And if he shows up now, it's because he thinks he has a chance," Paquet said.

    Charest's Tory opponents have branded him a "Conservative of convenience" and a closeted Liberal, but Paquet believes the ex-premier's Quebec record, especially of fiscal conservatism, shows he's genuine.

    Despite its name, Quebec's Liberal party is not left-wing, but rather a "coalition" party that brought together both left and right-wing interests that had federalism in common, Paquet said. Charest's experience in uniting a diverse party could be an asset in the Conservative race, he added.

    The brief biography on Charest's newly launched website appears to sidestep his years in provincial politics. While it refers to his Quebec northern development plan and the fact he won three elections, the only time the word "Quebec" appears in the blurb is in reference to Charest stepping up to lead the federalist charge in the 1995 referendum.

    The biography does not mention that Charest served nine years as Quebec's premier and 14 as head of the provincial Liberal party.

    That omission underscores the challenges that Charest is facing, Paquet said. The last premier to successfully become prime minister was Nova Scotia Conservative Charles Tupper in 1896, he added.

    And aside from minimizing his time as Quebec premier, Charest is also positioning himself against the hallmark piece of legislation from the government of Premier Francois Legault: Bill 21, a controversial secularism law prohibiting public servants in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols on the job. The law has shown to be popular in Quebec but less so in the rest of Canada.

    Earlier Thursday, Charest did a series of media interviews during which he expressed his opposition to the law. Some Conservatives want the party to sharpen its stance against the legislation. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown has already forcefully rejected the law, and he is expected to join the race Sunday.

    Polls place Charest behind Tory MP Pierre Poilievre, another leadership contender, among Conservative voters. Others show most Quebecers have a negative impression of Charest due to the investigations, the student protests and budget austerity measures, Paquet said.

    Gabriel-Nadeau Dubois, a former leader of the student protests and now the co-spokesperson of the Quebec solidaire party, recently described Charest's legacy as one of "corruption and austerity."

    "The legacy of Jean Charest in Quebec is a democracy weakened by corruption, a land that is ravaged, in terms of the environment; it's a historic delay in our battle against climate change and our public services in ruins," he said in February at the legislature.

    Both Paquet and Montigny have doubts that the Quebec population will vote massively for a Charest-led Conservative party in a federal election, especially due to the negative impressions left over from the student protests. But the fact that Charest decided to kick off his campaign in Alberta suggests he's setting his sights further west.

    However, Paquet said that if Charest wins the leadership, anything can happen in a general election.

    After such a long stint in politics, Charest "knows very well that you don't have to have the majority to win," he said.

    This report by the Canadian Press was first published March 11, 2022. 

    IN DEPTH

    Opinion

    opinion

    opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

    When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    A team of tornado experts are investigating a path of damage through Wellington County.

    Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus was among approximately 120 people who gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil near the scene of a vicious attack against a 16-year-old in Cobalt.

    A B.C. teen has a suspected case of H5N1 avian flu 鈥 the first known human to acquire the virus in Canada.

    Canada

    • A 15-year-old boy from Kitchener, Ont. is facing a long list of criminal charges as the Waterloo Regional Police Service wraps up a lengthy swatting investigation.

    • Two nephews of the beloved Harry R. Hamilton share stories about his life and legacy.

    • Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus was among approximately 120 people who gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil near the scene of a vicious attack against a 16-year-old in Cobalt.

    • A team of tornado experts are investigating a path of damage through Wellington County.

    • The federal government is urging both sides in the British Columbia port dispute to return to the table after mediated talks broke off on Saturday, the first of three scheduled days.

    World

    Politics

    Health

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    • Canada will be without captain Alphonso Davies for its upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

    • The Edmonton Oilers may have found the break they were looking for.

    Autos

    Local Spotlight

    For the second year in a row, the 鈥楪ift-a-Family鈥 campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

    Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

    A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

    As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

    A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts 鈥 not for themselves, but for those in need.

    A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

    Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

    A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

    • A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs 鈥 including hot meals for vulnerable kids 鈥 won't spend any time in jail.

    • A B.C. teen has a suspected case of H5N1 avian flu 鈥 the first known human to acquire the virus in Canada.

    • A suspect was arrested for allegedly brandishing a knife outside a Vancouver elementary school on Friday 鈥 just as the young students were heading home for the day.

    • Several hundred people gathered outside the Ontario legislature in Toronto to honour veterans and remember those who died fighting for their country.

    • Toronto is expected to see an economic boost to the tune of nearly $300 million thanks to Taylor Swift鈥檚 upcoming Eras Tour, which will be making a stop in Canada鈥檚 largest city for a six-show run later this month.

    • A man believed to be in his 40s has been rushed to a trauma centre following a stabbing in downtown Toronto.

    • EXTENDED VIDEO

      EXTENDED VIDEO

      Calgarians observed Remembrance Day at a number of different ceremonies across the city on Monday, including at the Hangar Flight Museum.

    • A memorial walk was held Sunday afternoon by the Calgary branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress to 鈥渉onour the Canadian soldiers who died fighting for peace in the past and the Ukrainian soldiers who are giving their lives for freedom today,鈥 according to a media release.

    • July 2025 may seem like it鈥檚 in the distant future, but for the St. Luke playground committee time is ticking to fundraise the $340,000 they still need to build a new playground.

    • Crowds gathered in Ottawa and eastern Ontario on Monday to honour the sacrifice of men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of Canada.

    • The company confirms it will open the new Chipotle at 5671 Hazeldean Road on Thursday, in the former location of Benny & Co.

    • The Fleet Street Pumping station is Ottawa's oldest water facility. Up to two-thirds of the city's water supply can move through it,

    • A 36-year-old Montreal man who was out on bail after allegedly uttering death threats to a woman is now accused of murdering her on the South Shore.

    • Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Montreal on Monday to mark Remembrance Day and honour Canadians who sacrificed their lives in the great wars and beyond.

    • Private Martine Roy was only 20 years old in 1984 when she was arrested, interrogated and dismissed from the Canadian Armed Forces for being what was then termed a "sexual deviant."

    • Edmonton's Beverly Memorial Cenotaph on Monday hosted its 104th Remembrance Day service to honour past and present veterans.

    • A member of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton participated in the national Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on Monday.

    • Thousands of Maritimers turned out in wet weather Monday to remember those who have served, and continue to serve, in Canada's armed forces for Remembrance Day.

    • A Cape Breton senior recalls her life in German-occupied France, and her mother鈥檚 death, during the Second World War.

    • Thousand of people gathered at the Menin Gate in the Ypres, Belgium for Monday鈥檚 Remembrance Day Ceremony.

    • Thousands gathered at the RBC Convention Centre on Monday to bear witness to a sombre and historic Remembrance Day ceremony.

    • Four teenagers have been arrested in connection with the attack and robbery of a 62-year-old woman.

    • A sacred fire burning in Winnipeg has brought healing and hope to some members of Xavia Skye Lynn Butler鈥檚 family.

    • November 11th marks a solemn day across Canada, and Regina is no exception.

    • Fire crews reported that no one was hurt after flames broke out in a home on Robinson Street in central Regina.

    • Regina author Valerie Crowther is celebrating the release of her book 鈥榃ar Letters: Linking Lives in the Second World War.鈥

    • A team of tornado experts are investigating a path of damage through Wellington County.

    • A 15-year-old boy from Kitchener, Ont. is facing a long list of criminal charges as the Waterloo Regional Police Service wraps up a lengthy swatting investigation.

    • Two buildings in downtown Hamilton collapsed early Monday morning but firefighters say no injuries were reported.

    • Saskatchewan RCMP are searching for a suspect after a man was seriously injured in a farm-related incident in Montreal Lake.

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • The Regina Rams claimed the Hardy Cup after a hard fought battle against the Saskatoon Huskies 19-14 on Saturday in the first all Saskatchewan U-Sports western conference final since 2002.

    • Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus was among approximately 120 people who gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil near the scene of a vicious attack against a 16-year-old in Cobalt.

    • Oxford OPP say that they are investigating a collision that resulted in serious injuries on Sunday evening.

    • A team of tornado experts are investigating a path of damage through Wellington County.

    • WATCH

      WATCH

      The events will start at 10:15 a.m. with a parade that forms up in front of the Delta London Armories, marches east on Dundas Street and turns north onto Waterloo Street to Dufferin Avenue, the west to the Cenotaph.

    • A Barrie man is accused of being at the centre of an alleged $2.2 million stolen used car scheme.

    • An unseasonably mild fall in Simcoe County has put any hopes for an early start to the ski season on hold, still, one local resort has its sights set on the slopes.

    • Environment Canada issued a weather alert for Barrie, Collingwood and surrounding areas, alerting residents about the wicked winds that are expected to pick up to 80 kilometres per hour in the afternoon hours.

    • A local high school honoured veterans of the 鈥淔orgotten War鈥 on Monday.

    • After a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) worker took their own life while on shift at the Ambassador Bridge Saturday, 麻豆传媒 Public Safety Analyst Chris Lewis highlighted the mental health burdens faced daily by law enforcement.

    • Representatives of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, military representatives, wreath bearers, government officials, and members of the public will attend the Cenotaph at City Hall Square for the outdoor service.

    • A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs 鈥 including hot meals for vulnerable kids 鈥 won't spend any time in jail.

    • A B.C. teen has a suspected case of H5N1 avian flu 鈥 the first known human to acquire the virus in Canada.

    • Environment Canada says heavy rain and winds could cause power outages on Vancouver Island as an "intense" storm system is set to hit the B.C. coast Sunday.

    • A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs 鈥 including hot meals for vulnerable kids 鈥 won't spend any time in jail.

    • The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver, B.C., will be closed for 31 hours this weekend, the second such closure in a week and the third since the start of November.

    • Police in Kamloops, B.C., are reminding parents and guardians to check their children's Halloween candy after receiving a report of a mother finding a razor blade in one of her daughter's treats.

    • The Southern Alberta Recreation Association is officially announcing the Town of Taber as next year鈥檚 host for the Southern Alberta Summer Games.

    • The Lethbridge Hurricanes broke open a close game with three goals in the first two minutes of the third period as they defeated the Warriors 7-3 in a game played Friday night in Moose Jaw.

    • There might not a lot snow just yet, but many southern Albertans are still itching to get outdoors.

    • Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus was among approximately 120 people who gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil near the scene of a vicious attack against a 16-year-old in Cobalt.

    • It was just days before the COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down when the Shaft Bottom Boys of Sudbury broke a world record for 'Deepest Concert Underground.' Now, more than four years later, a Timmins band is looking to take the title.

    • Police say that a 16-year-old was attacked with a sword Nov. 3 in Cobalt, Ont., in a case of intimate partner violence.

    N.L.

    Stay Connected
    Follow 麻豆传媒