Couillard finds a new face to replace unpopular health minister

Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard has removed a possible major stumbling block in his bid for a second mandate, announcing Friday his unpopular heath minister won’t return to the crucial portfolio if the party is re-elected.

Couillard unveiled Gertrude Bourdon as the Liberal candidate in a Quebec City-area riding, tapping the health-care administrator as his future health minister. She would replace Gaetan Barrette, the controversial outgoing minister whose tough-love approach to reforms over the past four years has been roundly criticized and who appears unpopular in polling.

Barrette would become the next treasury board president should he and the party be reelected, Couillard said.

The Liberal leader paid tribute to Barrette’s accomplishments under difficult circumstances in a portfolio that accounts for around one-half of Quebec spending.

Quebec hasn’t had a female health minister since Pauline Marois in 2001, while all of them have been doctors dating back to Couillard’s appointment to the post in 2003.

“In 2018, it’s time for a new era, a new perspective,” the Liberal leader said on Day 2 of the provincial election campaign.

Bourdon said she had discussions with the rival Coalition Avenir Quebec before spurning the front-running party to join the Liberals.

“When you have to make such an important decision in life — because this was the most important decision of my life — there was only one party that reflected my values,” she said in the riding of Jean-lesage alongside Couillard, Barrette and other Liberal candidates.

In response, Francois Legault’s Coalition named Danielle Mccann, a health sector consultant and former head of Montreal’s regional health agency, to run in the suburban Montreal riding of Sanguinet.

Mccann admitted the jump was quick — she met with Legault on Monday and agreed to run Tuesday. That said, she doesn’t consider herself second banana.

“I feel like I’m the first choice of Mr. Legault,” Mccann said.

Parties wasted little time pitching promises to voters Friday, with families and seniors among those targeted.

Couillard said families with children under the age of 18 will get an extra $150 to $300 — per child, per year and taxfree — depending on income.