On February 7, 2025, the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) made headlines by officially rejecting the leadership candidacy of former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre. The decision was announced via the party's statement on the social media platform X, where they clarified the electoral committee deemed Coderre's candidacy inadmissible.
This development concludes weeks of speculation surrounding Coderre's bid for leadership. His candidacy had been pending due to allegations and reports concerning significant tax debts. The committee's decision came after reports suggested Coderre owed approximately $400,000 between provincial and federal tax entities, with outstanding amounts of over $130,000 to Revenu Québec and more than $266,000 to the Canada Revenue Agency.
Last week, before the announcement, the party indicated Coderre had not submitted all the requisite documentation to formalize his candidacy. On January 17, he had optimistically declared to reporters, "I can tell you today everything I owe to both Revenu Québec and Revenue Canada is secure. So there is no problem on this side."
Although the invitation for Coderre to appeal the committee's decision remains open, he faces the challenge of resolving his tax debts within the nomination period, which concludes on April 11.
Coderre's rejection has put additional pressure on the party, which has been without a leader for over two years. Observers noted the renewed interest Coderre's potential candidacy had brought to the party, yet fellow Liberal MP André Fortin reassured supporters of the party's strength, stating, "Whether Denis Coderre is in the race or not, we still have excellent candidates."
This sentiment echoed throughout party ranks, as several candidates are vying for the leadership role. Among them are former federal minister Pablo Rodriguez, former CEO of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce Charles Milliard, tax lawyer Marc Bélanger, and farmer Mario Roy from Beauce.
Despite the setback, Coderre has remained poised. He announced on Facebook, "I have read the decision of the QLP Electoral Committee, which has been delayed. I will not comment on the subject today. I will do it at the appropriate time." His willingness to engage with the process has left room for speculation about whether he will attempt to address the hurdles blocking his path to leadership.
Looking at the broader picture, the Quebec Liberal Party is marching toward its leadership convention, slated for June 14, 2025. Coderre's case offers insight not only about individual political ambitions but also serves as reflections of the party's current standing and challenges within the Canadian political arena.
While his leadership dreams have hit a stumbling block, the Quebec Liberal Party continues to scout for its future directions, grappling with challenges posed by internal dynamics and changing public interests.