QUEBEC CITY – He was known this fall as the ghost of the National Assembly. Philippe Couillard is a ghost no more.
After spending months touring Quebec, Couillard is now assuming his rightful place as leader of the Official Opposition. Couillard won a by-election in Outremont, while Liberal newcomer David Heurtel won in Viau. Both were sworn in on Wednesday.
Couillard’s caucus welcomed the change; they believe his presence at the assembly will strengthen party unity.
“Our leader will be with us leading us and we’re all very confident in his leadership and in his style of leadership,” said Liberal MNA Rita de Santis.
Added Liberal MNA Marguerite Blais: “Recently I was not feeling very well and he phoned me several times. I think it’s a very important quality when you want to govern Quebec to be able to have compassion.”
Addressing the crowd, Couillard had no compassion for the PQ and its Charter of Quebec Values.
“Let me reiterate my commitment: we will not barter our liberties. We will not trade them off for votes or political calculations,” he said in his speech.
Couillard insisted Quebecers are all equal citizens…except maybe extremists.
“We are telling you, you are not welcome here. We will fight you and pursue you relentlessly,” Couillard said.
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Asked later if that constituted a contradiction, Couillard responded: “I’m not going to do any compromise on security, on violence, on extremism.”
“I think people will learn more about Philippe Couillard when he’s in the House being leader of the opposition,” offered former Quebec Premier Daniel Johnson. “He’ll give people an opportunity to see how committed he is to improve the lot of Quebecers.”
On the economy, Couillard said his government would bring back the Plan Nord, invest in infrastructure and small businesses and give Montreal a boost.
Jean-Marc Fournier said he’s happy to pass the torch.
“After doing an okay job, I’m passing it to a guy who’s well-received by the population, he has all the tools to bring us back not just to form the government but to be useful for the economy and social situation in Quebec,” said Fournier.
Couillard will take his seat in the assembly and cross swords with Premier Pauline Marois in February.
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