Former Conservative candidate defects to Quebec Liberals

Ange Claude Bigilimana, who served as national vice-president of the Quebec Conservative Party, has switched allegiance to the Quebec Liberals, making a public break with Éric Duhaime over the party's direction and tone.

Bigilimana, who ran as a PCQ candidate in the 2022 general election in Mille-Îles and again in the 2025 Terrebonne by-election, accused Duhaime of lacking a "solid guiding principle" and "attacking anything that moves." He was present at the PLQ's General Council meeting in Sherbrooke on Saturday.

"That doesn't represent my values," he said of Duhaime's leadership.

The break came weeks after Duhaime called Premier Christine Fréchette an "old lady," prompting Bigilimana to post on LinkedIn that the Conservative leader had "lacked class." Now Bigilimana is backing PLQ leader Charles Milliard as the only political leader with a positive stance on immigration.

"What I love about Mr. Milliard is his political maturity and balance. Among all the leaders currently in the National Assembly, it seems like he's the adult among the children," Bigilimana explained. He highlighted Milliard's positions on economic issues, family matters, and Quebec unity as reasons for his support.

Bigilimana previously voted for the Parti Québécois under Pauline Marois but now views the sovereigntist party as "divided." His defection reflects growing fractures within Quebec's right-leaning political space and signals potential momentum for the PLQ ahead of upcoming elections.