A Province in Crisis Needs a Leader Who Unites—That Leader Is Karl Blackburn

By David Birnbaum, MNA for D’Arcy-McGee from 2014 to 2022, &

The Honorable Marlene Jennings, MP for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce-Verdun from 1997 to

2011

Montréal, May 10th 2025.

David Birnbaum, MNA for D'Arcy-McGee from 2014 to 2022

The Hon. Marlene Jennings, MP for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce-Verdun from 1997 to 2011

Quebec isn’t doing well. You feel it at the grocery store, at the gas pump, and in

households where budgets keep tightening. Inflation hit hard. Public finances are

strained. And now, a looming trade dispute with our largest commercial partner

threatens to further shake an already fragile economy. Its diverse communities are too

often seen as enemies rather than allies.

In such turbulent times, there’s one thing we can no longer afford: division. Now is the

time to come together. To regroup around shared values. To build a future that’s not

just strong—but inclusive and grounded in the realities of both our metropolis and our

regions.

The Quebec Liberal Party (QLP) has faced its share of rough years—there is no denying

it. Ties with Francophones have weakened, ties to English-speaking Quebecers have

been strained. And for so many Anglophones, the debates around Bills 21 and 96 were

discouraging and divisive. The Quebec Liberal trademark as the party of the economy

has fallen to the wayside. The truth is, the QLP has somehow veered off course. But it’s

not too late to chart a new path. What’s needed now is someone with the vision—and

the credibility—to restore unity and trust.

That person is Karl Blackburn.

Born in Chicoutimi and raised in the Lac-Saint-Jean region, Karl’s identity is rooted in the

heart of Quebec. His father, Gaston Blackburn, was a longtime MNA and Cabinet

minister. Public service runs deep in the family. And Karl’s own record reflects that same

commitment.

He has served as the MNA for Roberval, and later as the party’s Director General and

Chief Organizer, with a proven winning track record. He recently led the Conseil du

patronat du Québec, the largest business association in Quebec and before that, spent

multiple years working in the forestry industry—an economic driver for many parts of

the province.

Now, after a personal battle with cancer, Karl returns with renewed energy and clarity

of purpose. His goal? To reignite the Liberal flame and restore the party as a voice that speaks for all Quebecers; to make the QLP the best alternative to a divisive CAQ

government that needs to go.

And he hasn’t wasted any time. Within just three days of announcing his candidacy, Karl

met every requirement to enter the party’s leadership race — gathering all the

necessary signatures, and more, across all ridings and regions, 80% of which were from

new members. That’s not just a candidacy. That’s momentum. It’s proof that

Liberals—old and new—are ready to believe again.

What people appreciate about Karl is simple: he speaks plainly and listens carefully. He’s

committed to rebuilding the party’s relationship with English-speaking Quebecers. He

speaks the language that matters most—respect, openness, and authenticity.

Karl’s roots are in Quebec’s regions, but he lives and works in the Greater Montreal

Area. He is a team player. He knows politics. He understands the issues. He can fix the

economy. And he has made it clear that he stands firmly against the divisive politics of

the CAQ and will put a stop to the insidious attacks on the Anglo-Quebecois minority

and institutions. He believes in inclusion, in immigration, and in a Quebec that is

prosperous, open, and united. He believes in a modern Quebec that demonstrates

strength and agility within a united Canada.

If you believe the Quebec Liberal Party is ready for a fresh start, now is the time to get

involved.

Quebec needs a leader who brings people together—not pits them against one another.

A leader who understands your realities. Someone solid, steady, and ready.

That leader is Karl Blackburn.