The political careers of both Lucien Bouchard and Jean Charest are focused on winning the hearts and minds of the people of Quebec. When Jean Charest announced he was seeking the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party, Parti Québécois leader Lucien Bouchard was quick to draw the lines, to declare clearly and publicly what, in his opinion, Jean Charest’s move to Quebec was really all about.

Bouchard said: “A vote for Jean Charest will be a vote for Jean Chrétien. It is clear that the person who is going to be chosen as leader of the Quebec Liberal Party will be the lieutenant of Jean Chrétien—he will be there to execute the orders of Jean Chrétien and of English Canada.” Suggesting that Charest would be a puppet of the federal government and not a player in his own right, Bouchard’s statement was a provocative message that set the tone and the stage for the political battle to begin between the two men and their parties.

Strategic Thinking
In a general sense, what are the challenges that politicians, regardless of party, region, or province, must address when switching political parties or levels of government? In a specific sense, what are the challenges facing Charest as he changes political parties and takes on the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party? Examine the following statements. How does each suggest the nature of the task facing Jean Charest?

“Bouchard aides sounded as if they could hardly believe their luck with the repeated statements of support for Charest by federal Liberals such as Chrétien and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Stephane Dion. ‘Don’t they realize they’re killing him?’ one Bouchard adviser asked.” — The Toronto Star, March 23, 1998

“When he is leader of the Quebec Liberals we’ll do everything we can to get him elected and we’ll work with him. . . . Unlike the rest of the country, party politics in Quebec is not so much based on party allegiance but on whether a leader supports the federalist or the separatist cause. . . . Mr. Charest would be a strong defender of the federalist cause in the province.” — Prime Minister Jean Chrétien

“David Price, the Conservative MP for Compton-Stanstead, Charest’s neighbouring Quebec riding, said Charest does not plan to abandon the federal Tory Party. ‘For sure he’ll still be a federal PC, like I am still a Quebec Liberal. It just wouldn’t be like him to walk away after all he’s done to fight for this Party.” — The Toronto Star, March 24, 1998

“Mr. Charest will have to deal with very different, sometimes hostile elements in the Party . . . there are Liberals who are active in both the provincial party and the federal party who are likely to feel left out with the arrival of a Progressive Conservative as leader. . . . Mr. Charest will also have to acquire a very good understanding of the regional issues, and articulate the sense that the regions of Quebec outside Quebec City and Montreal feel alienated from major centres. . . . Charest’s challenges will also be to get candidacies that will allow him to have a team.” — Marc-Yvan Côté, former member of the Bourassa cabinet and a delegate at the federal Liberal convention

“The call to duty that Jean Charest responds to must come first and foremost from Quebeckers in Quebec.” — Newfoundland Premier Brian Tobin

“Privately, Liberals fear a Tory takeover. The concerns have been fuelled in part because Mr. Charest has kept the Liberal caucus in the dark about his plans.” — Rhéal Séguin, The Globe and Mail, April 30, 1998

“Once he becomes leader he must merge the policies in the Conservative platform with those of the Liberal platform. That will be his biggest challenge.” — Senator Jean-Claude Rivest, senior advisor to former Liberal premier Robert Bourassa

Discussion and Activities
1. How do forces outside Quebec have an impact on Charest and his ability to be accepted as a leader in Quebec? In your opinion, what should the relationship be between Jean Chrétien and the federal government and Jean Charest?

2. What are the concerns of Quebec Liberals as Charest takes over the leadership of the party? Ultimately, on what does Jean Charest’s success depend?

3. How is Charest’s relationship with the Progressive Conservative Party affected by his new leadership position? Does this relationship suggest an incongruity or inconsistency between competing political philosophies? What does this relationship tell us about the unique nature of Quebec politics?

4. Working in small groups, proceed as indicated.
You are political strategists hired to advise Jean Charest on his political campaign in Quebec. Review once again the statements above, then as a group prepare a 10-point strategy chart in which you list 10 things you highly recommend Jean Charest do if he wishes to defeat Lucien Bouchard in the next provincial election. Prioritize your list. Number one is your most highly recommended strategy.

When you have finished, post your 10 strategies on a large piece of paper and then choose a spokesperson from your group who will explain to the class as a whole your strategic plans for Jean Charest.