QUEBEC — Accusing the Coalition Avenir Québec government of being a bit player on the federal scene, Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard pledged Wednesday to move the province closer to the rest of Canada, including Ontario.
But Milliard would not go so far as endorsing the hardline tactics of Ontario Premier Doug Ford toward the United States.
Ford has suggested Ontario could cut off energy sales to the U.S. in response to American tariffs, and said Canada “can’t keep rolling over for President Trump.”
“We each have our personalities,” Milliard said when asked about Ford’s approach. “What I want is for all the provinces to work together.”
Milliard made the comments at a news conference strategically held in the shadow of the U.S. Consulate in Quebec City.
The site was chosen as a reminder that Quebec needs to step up its game as its main trade partner turns its back on the province.
Part of the response, Milliard said, should be for Quebec to rally the provinces and the federal government around common economic interests.
He said that is exactly what the CAQ has not done in its eight years in power, which has cost Quebecers.
“When it comes to Canadian relations, the current government lamentably disappoints,” Milliard said. “We are in the grandstands watching the game be played.
“The CAQ is happy managing Canadian relations. I think we need to develop them.
“What I am saying is the CAQ is not interested in Canada, yet the vast majority of Quebecers feel attached to Canada and have fears about the American government.”
Quebec Liberal Party Leader Charles Milliard walks by the U.S. Consulate in Quebec City on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Francis Vachon / Montreal Gazette
Milliard said Premier Christine Fréchette was a mere “spectator” at last week’s meeting of the premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney in Charlottetown, available for photo opportunities but not much else.
While nine premiers agreed to remove interprovincial barriers that prevent brewers, wineries and distillers from selling directly to consumers in other provinces, for example, Quebec did not get on board, he added.
“These are tough times, but these are times to unite and to have strong leadership and be proud of what we are: Quebecers and Canadians,” Milliard said.
With the general election looming in the fall, Milliard outlined a new four-point plan he said would bring Quebec back into the big leagues in Canadian relations and counter the negative effects of U.S. policies.
If elected premier on Oct. 5, Milliard said, he would launch a tour of the rest of Canada to create alliances with the other premiers.
He would put in place a pan-Canadian committee reinforcing the diversification of the economy, as well as develop a common Quebec economic vision.
Finally, he would work to expand Quebec’s spheres of influence, including relaunching joint Quebec-Ontario cabinet meetings once a year.
“It is our natural neighbour, so establishing this alliance is a priority,” Milliard said. “Repairing this alliance should be a priority.”
It didn’t take long for the CAQ government to react.
In a message on social media, Fréchette said the Liberals’ “Canadian diplomacy plan” misses the mark because it strays from the CAQ’s autonomist strategy for Quebec.
“Quebec must equip itself with a more pronounced and influential diplomacy with direct lines of communication, without intermediaries (like the federal government),” she said.
“The timid and federalist approach of Mr. Milliard favours a Quebec diplomacy aligned with that of Canada, limiting Quebec’s capacity to fully defend its own interests.”
Milliard held Wednesday’s news conference after several political columnists accused him of being invisible this summer even as Quebec moves toward the election.
He brushed aside questions about some of the problems his party has had with new candidates. In the last few weeks, several have pulled out of the running for various reasons.
Last week, the Liberals dropped Michel Savard as the candidate for the Montreal riding of Gouin after old social media remarks re-emerged in which he called Parti Québécois supporters Nazis.
“No political party is exempt from these situations,” Milliard said. “I am the leader of the party. My responsibility is to put together the best team. I have an excellent team. When there are decisions to take, I take them.”
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