Carlos Leitao becomes latest Quebec Liberal to not seek re-election this fall

Another high-profile Quebec Liberal has announced hewillnot be running for re-election on Oct. 3.

Carlos Leitao,the MNA for the West Island riding of Robert-Baldwinwhich covers thePierrefonds-Roxboroborough andDollard-des-Ormeaux said hemade the decision some time ago, fulfilling a promise he made to his family about his time at theNational Assembly.

"My political life is over. I had promised my wife that I wouldn't be doing more than two mandates," he said in an interview with Radio-Canada.

Twice elected by strong majorities, the finance critic for the Liberal opposition served as finance minister between 2014 and 2018 under Philippe Couillard's government, overseeing a period of fiscal belt-tightening in Quebecand some major structural reforms to the health system. He was also president of the province'sTreasury Board over that same time period.

"I'm proud of the work we accomplished," he said. "We left Quebecwell equipped to deal with the pandemic."

Leitao says he will continue to remain active in the Liberal partyand take advantage of the freedom of being out of the National Assembly to comment on current affairs.

Adozen elected members of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) have so farannounced that they won't be running again, withPierre Arcand, who represents the Mont-RoyalOutremont riding, being the latest beforeLeitao.

Party leader Dominique Anglade hasdismissed the notion that their exits aresymptoms of a reeling political party.

"Back in September, I met with my team, making sure I knew who was staying and who was leaving. These are things that were expected," Anglade said in mid-April.

"But at the end of the day, it's also an opportunity to renew the party."