Antoine Dionne-Charest, the son of former Quebec premier Jean Charest, will represent the Quebec Liberals in Montreal’s Verdun riding in the upcoming provincial election.
Dionne-Charest was officially nominated Wednesday evening at a party event attended by his mother and Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard.
Milliard praised the new candidate as a longtime member of the Liberal Party and said his candidacy reflects the party’s efforts to renew and rebuild ahead of the October 5 provincial election.
Jean Charest, who served as Quebec premier from 2003 to 2012, did not attend the nomination meeting.
Addressing supporters, Dionne-Charest said public service has long been a part of his family’s values and credited his father with inspiring his commitment to politics.
“My father inspired me to strive for excellence and to serve others,” he said. “I owe him a great debt of gratitude.”
The Verdun riding, located in southwestern Montreal, was once considered a Liberal stronghold but was captured by Québec solidaire in the 2022 provincial election.
Dionne-Charest’s nomination comes as Quebec’s political landscape continues to shift ahead of the fall vote. Recent polling suggests the Quebec Liberals are running second behind the Parti Québécois in voter support.
Meanwhile, the governing Coalition Avenir Québec has faced a growing number of departures from its caucus, with more than 30 elected members announcing plans not to seek re-election.
Labour Minister Jean Boulet recently announced his departure from politics, while reports indicate Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe is also expected to step aside ahead of the election.
The October 5 vote is shaping up to be one of Quebec’s most closely watched elections in recent years, with parties positioning themselves for a highly competitive campaign.
