Former Justin Trudeau cabinet minister Pablo Rodriquez wins Quebec Liberal leadership
Article content
The ex-federal Liberal cabinet minister won the party's leadership contest Saturday after two rounds of voting, beating out Charles Milliard, former head of the Federation of Quebec Chambers of Commerce with just over 52 per cent of votes cast.
Article content
Article content
Article content
The three other candidates vying for the top job — Karl Blackburn, former president of a Quebec employers group; Marc Belanger, an international trade lawyer; and Mario Roy, an economist and farmer — were eliminated after a first round after no one received 50 per cent.
Article content
Article content
Rodriguez, 57, told party faithful at a leadership convention in the provincial capital it was time to come together as Liberals and write a new chapter for the party. He preached unity, inviting all members of caucus on stage with him.
Article content
'No matter who you supported, we're all together today, united,' he said.
Article content
He said those fellow leadership candidates would be key to the future and notably singled out Milliard, 46, who was among the favourites. Milliard and Blackburn have already committed to running in the next election, while Belanger intends to run in western Quebec.
Article content
'I'm going to talk with the other candidates, it's extremely important to meet with the different teams because we're all part of the same party, the same team, with the same goal of forming a government in 2026.'
Article content
Article content
Article content
Born in Argentina, Rodriguez arrived in Quebec at eight years old. He grew up in Sherbrooke and served as a federal Liberal MP for the Montreal riding of Honore-Mercier.
Article content
He notably served as Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister of Transport under Justin Trudeau.
Article content
He brushed off the notion his opponents would try paint him as being an extension of the federal party.
Article content
'I'm my own man and I will be judged on my own decisions, my own team, my platform,' Rodriguez said. 'I don't control what they do, but what we're going to do is be ready.'
Article content
Rodriguez, who does not have a seat in the national assembly, will have to rebuild the party in the next 16 months if it is to have a chance of forming government.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
38 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
SHARC Energy Announces Update on Convertible Debenture Financing
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SHARC International Systems Inc. (CSE: SHRC) (FSE: IWIA) (OTCQB: INTWF) ("SHARC Energy" or the 'Company') would like to announce its intention to complete a non-brokered private placement of secured convertible debentures (each, a ' Debenture ') with a principal amount of up to $1,500,000 (the ' Offering '). The Debenture is secured against all present and after acquired assets of the Company. The Debentures will bear interest at a rate of 8.0% per annum and mature on the date that is 24 months from the date of issuance (the ' Maturity Date '). The holder will have the option to extend the Maturity Date for a period of 12 months and receive all accrued and unpaid interest in cash or in common shares in the capital of the Company (' Common Shares ') at a price of $0.10 per Common Share (the ' Conversion Price '). Additionally, the outstanding principal amount owed under a Debenture may be converted into Common Shares at the Conversion Price at the option of the holder at any time on or prior to the last business day prior to the Maturity Date. The Company may from time to time, in its sole discretion, prepay all or a part of the principal amount and accrued interest without penalty. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Offering for working capital purposes as the Company continues to fulfil the shipment and delivery of SHARC and PIRANHA WET systems. The Company may pay a finder's fee in connection with the Offering to eligible arm's length finders in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day following the date of issuance in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The securities of the Company referred to in this news release have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ' U.S. Securities Act '), or any state securities laws. Accordingly, the securities of the Company may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The above Offering is being carried out in place of the previously announced offering on June 20, 2025, which is now cancelled. About SHARC Energy SHARC International Systems Inc. is a world leader in energy recovery from the wastewater we send down the drain every day. SHARC Energy's systems recycle thermal energy from wastewater, generating one of the most energy-efficient and economical systems for heating, cooling & hot water production for commercial, residential, and industrial buildings along with thermal energy networks, commonly referred to as 'District Energy'. SHARC Energy is publicly traded in Canada (CSE: SHRC), the United States (OTCQB: INTWF) and Germany (Frankfurt: IWIA) and you can find out more on our SEDAR profile. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Fred Andriano Chairman For investor inquiries, please contact: For media inquiries, please contact: Hanspaul Pannu Chief Financial & Operating Officer SHARC Energy Telephone: (604) 475-7710 ext. 4 Email: Mike Tanyi Director of Marketing & IT SHARC Energy Telephone: 604.475.7710 Ext.109 Email: The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified using words such as 'anticipate', 'plan', 'estimate', 'expect', 'may', 'will', 'intend', 'should', and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. SHARC Energy's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information because of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. SHARC Energy believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
B.C. braces for impact of Trump's 35 per cent tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump has hiked Canada's tariffs to 35 per cent - here's what that means for B.C. For Michael Devereux, an economics professor at the University of British Columbia, the new tariffs imposed on Canada Friday morning are 'confusing.' Devereux told CTV News the 35 per cent levies – which U.S. President Donald Trump blamed, in part, on fentanyl going over the border – will hurt Americans. '(They're) much more important for the U.S. consumer because they actually pay the tariffs,' said Devereux. Approximately 90 per cent of Canadian exports, which are covered under the Canada United States Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA, are still tariff-free. But Devereux explained the remainder that are could have a significant impact on the economy, if U.S. consumers choose to stop purchasing those Canadian goods. B.C. Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar said, 'No sector has felt the weight of that more than our forestry sector here in British Columbia.' Parmar said his ministry is currently focusing on creating robust trade relationships with other nations. 'I'm going to be ensuring that my team has boots on the ground in those places supporting small and medium-sized companies to be able to explore finding new customers,' he said. While those negotiations are ongoing, Parmar said the B.C. government is still hopeful their federal counterparts can secure a long-term deal with the U.S. Federal ministers including Vancouver MP Gregor Robertson were tight-lipped on Friday, but did say Prime Minister Mark Carney was attempting to forge the best deal possible for Canadians Carney put out a statement in the morning that read, in part: 'The Canadian government is disappointed by this action and will act to protect Canadian jobs,' adding that he will continue to negotiate with the Americans. Devereux said British Columbians are in a difficult situation, and with CUSMA renegotiations on the table next year unless what he called a rational deal is made, things could get worse. By CTV News Vancouver's Demetra Maragos
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Deadline to make trade deal with U.S. is today
Ottawa Watch Where do things stand between Canada and the U.S. ahead of today's trade deadline?
