It\u2019s as if the Liberals never learn from their mistakes.<\/p>\n
Last week, Milliard said a Liberal government would renew the notwithstanding clause<\/a> to shield Bill 96 from court challenges \u2014 a sharp departure from the party\u2019s position since the 2022 election.<\/p>\n Multiple reports indicated members of his caucus were not informed in advance. Within hours, Liberal constituency offices \u2014 particularly in the West Island \u2014 were flooded with calls from surprised and frustrated voters.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? We didn\u2019t vote for that!\u201d<\/p>\n The timing could hardly have been worse, as the Liberals had begun to regain ground<\/a> in public opinion. Now a single declaration put MNAs under pressure from constituents and unsettled the party\u2019s core base. Days later,\u00a0a L\u00e9ger poll showed the Liberals had lost eight points<\/a> among non-francophone voters \u2014 a significant drop in a key demographic.<\/p>\n Gone up in smoke, just like that.<\/p>\n Milliard\u2019s attempt to clarify his position only deepened the confusion. Within 24 hours, he shifted tone<\/a>, emphasizing a desire to \u201cimprove\u201d Bill 96 rather than simply protect it. His hesitation drew criticism on the francophone side<\/a>, as many viewed it as an attempt to downplay or even backtrack on his previous declarations.<\/p>\n He then reverted to a more defined stance<\/a>: Maintain Bill 96 with modifications, including easing administrative burdens on Quebec businesses and extending the six-month window during which newcomers can access government services in languages other than French. \u201cIf necessary,\u201d after consulting with constitutional experts, the notwithstanding clause could still be renewed upon its expiration after five years, as required by Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.<\/p>\n Charles Milliard’s attempt to clarify his position on Bill 96 and the use of the notwithstanding clause only deepened the confusion.<\/p>\n The Liberals are walking a fine line. On one side, they\u2019re trying to court French-speaking Quebecers in order to grow their electoral coalition \u2014 on the other, they need to reassure their core base to avoid any potentially damaging internal tensions just months ahead of crucial elections.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a catch-22; you just can\u2019t please everybody. And if you try to, you\u2019ll just end up disappointing all of them at the same time.<\/p>\n Strategically, the path to victory is clear: To form government, the Liberals must take seats away from the Coalition Avenir Qu\u00e9bec, especially outside the Greater Montreal Area. That requires reconnecting with francophone voters in the regions \u2014 where support for strong language protections remains high.<\/p>\n![\"Charles](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0424-oped-col-melancon-1.jpg\")
Liberal Leader Charles Milliard\u2019s attempt to clarify his position on Bill 96 and the use of the notwithstanding clause only deepened the confusion, writes Rapha\u00ebl Melan\u00e7on. John Kenney \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n
![\"Profile](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/9999-oped-melancon-mug_298741158.jpg\")
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