History has a way of repeating itself.

In 2022, then Quebec Liberal leader Dominique Anglade was swept into controversy over her lack of clear stance on the Coalition Avenir Québec’s Bill 96 and its pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause. Now her successor, Charles Milliard, has stumbled into a similar situation — triggering yet another internal crisis within the QLP.

It’s as if the Liberals never learn from their mistakes.

Last week, Milliard said a Liberal government would renew the notwithstanding clause to shield Bill 96 from court challenges — a sharp departure from the party’s position since the 2022 election.

Multiple reports indicated members of his caucus were not informed in advance. Within hours, Liberal constituency offices — particularly in the West Island — were flooded with calls from surprised and frustrated voters.

“What? We didn’t vote for that!”

The timing could hardly have been worse, as the Liberals had begun to regain ground in public opinion. Now a single declaration put MNAs under pressure from constituents and unsettled the party’s core base. Days later, a Léger poll showed the Liberals had lost eight points among non-francophone voters — a significant drop in a key demographic.

Gone up in smoke, just like that.

Milliard’s attempt to........

© Montreal Gazette