Federal minister Pablo Rodriguez to run for Quebec Liberal leadership [Video]

The federal Liberals’ political lieutenant for Quebec, Pablo Rodriguez, will run for the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ). He is scheduled to make the announcement Thursday in Gatineau.

Rodriguez, who is also the federal Minister of Transport, will resign from his cabinet position this week to focus on the leadership.

The Minister of Procurement and MP for the riding of Quebec, Jean-Yves Duclos, could not hide the fact that Rodriguez’s departure creates a “void.” The news also comes just after a crushing defeat for the Liberals, who saw the Bloc Québécois snatch the seat of LaSalle-Émard-Verdun from them in a byelection.

“Whether it’s today, tomorrow or the day before yesterday, it doesn’t really matter,” said Duclos. “The fact is that he leaves a magnificent legacy for the Quebec region, an extraordinary support for the actors in my riding.”

According to Duclos, Rodriguez’s decision was made “some time ago” …