Quebec Liberals are a ‘Montreal-based party,’ Fréchette says in testy exchange with Milliard

Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette’s jab about his party being Montreal-centred didn’t go unnoticed by Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard.

“She’s the one who actually lives in Montreal, so that’s pretty interesting,” he told reporters Wednesday night after the third and final leaders’ debate ahead of the Quebec provincial election.

“You know, I want to unite Quebecers. It’s been a while since all Quebecers have been united in Quebec, and I think it’s about time that we have a government that wants to talk to all communities in Quebec, and that’s what we’re proposing at the (Quebec Liberal Party).”

The two were at each other’s throats on the topic of immigration during the debate.

In a heated exchange, Milliard took aim at the incumbent premier over her handling of the economy and immigration portfolios as a CAQ cabinet minister.

Fréchette fired back, saying former Liberal premier Philippe Couillard’s government had shut down immigration offices in the province’s regions.

“We know you’re a Montreal-based party, but we want immigration in the regions too,” she said.

Asked later that night if it’s an insult to be considered a party for Montreal, Milliard shrugged off Fréchette’s comment.

“I think it’s pretty hard to insult me in this campaign, so I’m all good with that,” he told reporters.

After the debate, Fréchette was asked about her remark and whether it’s a bad thing for a party to represent Montreal.

“No, it’s not a bad thing,” she said. “It is a fact. It’s as simple as that.

“Because when I was minister of immigration, I saw that the idea of having more immigration in the regions was not of interest for the Liberal Party. And this is when I said, ‘Well, you are a party essentially in Montreal.’”

Fréchette went on to say the Liberals “think about the Montreal reality when they govern.”

“And I think that Quebecers deserve a government that will take into consideration all regions, including Montreal, but all regions,” she said.

The five party leaders participated in the third and final debate, this one hosted by Radio-Canada, on Wednesday. It was two hours long and focused on five themes: Quebec’s future, health, economic uncertainty, the budget, and children.

Voters head to the polls Oct. 5.

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