WHO IS KARL?

Dear members of the Quebec Liberal Party,

​

I come to you today with an unwavering determination to serve our party and Quebec. I was born in Chicoutimi in 1967 to Gaston Blackburn, a businessman, and Nicole Desbiens and I have always been inspired by the values of hard work, respect, and commitment.

​

I graduated from the ELS International Language School, then completed a Bachelor of Administration degree, specializing in Law and Management, from the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi in 1992. These experiences solidified my understanding of business and law, and prepared me to meet the challenges of the entrepreneurial sphere.

​

Afterwards, I managed the family business, Groupe G. Blackburn Inc., our family business, from 1994 to 2003, and I owned Quincaillerie Blackburn from 1996 to 2002. Those roles helped me to understand the realities facing Quebec entrepreneurs and the importance of supporting local businesses.

​

My commitment to our party began early, as a regional representative of the Young Liberals from 1988 to 1990, then as Assistant Coordinator of the Youth Commission in 1989. In 2001 and 2002, I had the honour of chairing the Roberval Liberal Association.

​

I was elected as Liberal MNA representing Roberval in 2003, and served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic and Regional Development, and later to the Minister of Public Security. Although defeated in 2007, this experience taught me about resilience and the importance of faithfully representing citizens. Subsequently, from 2007 to 2013, I had the privilege of being the Chief Organizer and then the Director General of the QLP.

​

After my political career, I served as Senior Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations for Canada at Resolute Forest Products. In June 2020, I was appointed President and CEO of the Conseil du patronat du Québec (CPQ), where I worked to represent and defend the interests of Quebec employers.

​

Throughout my career, my social commitment has led me to sit on the boards of directors of Forces Avenir and the Quebec Cancer Foundation, reflecting my deep-seated belief that economic and social progress go hand in hand.

​

In 2024, I was forced to withdraw from the Quebec Liberal Party leadership race following prostate cancer surgery. Today, bolstered by my experiences and fully recovered, I am ready to take on new challenges both for our party and our society.

​

​With your help, it is time to work together to rebuild this great political party that has shaped Quebec.