Carlos Leitão inaugurates campaign office in Marc-Aurèle-Fortin riding
Source AGMMCL
On April 11, Carlos Leitão, the star candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada in the Marc-Aurèle-Fortin riding, officially inaugurated his campaign office in Laval. According to the organizers, nearly 100 people attended the event, marking the return of the former Quebec Finance Minister who previously represented the provincial riding of Robert-Baldwin from 2014 to 2022 to the political scene at the federal level under Mark Carney’s banner.
Before entering politics, Mr. Leitão was an economist at the Royal Bank of Canada from 1983 to 2003 and served as Chief Economist at Banque Laurentienne from 2003 to 2014. After stepping away from provincial politics in 2022, he has now reappeared on the federal stage.
A wide array of local Liberal figures were present at the event, including Angelo Iacono (Alfred-Pellan), Annie Koutrakis (Vimy), and Fayçal El-Khoury (Laval–Les Îles).
Former colleagues from his tenure at the National Assembly of Québec also attended to show their support.
During his speech, Mr. Leitão explained the motivations behind his political comeback at the age of 69. He cited the word “TRUMP” as a primary motivator, referencing the economic uncertainty and tariff war instigated by the former U.S. president. He also emphasized the need to rebuild a strong economy for future generations, drawing on his recent experience as a new grandfather. Furthermore, he underscored the alignment of his economic views with those of party leader Mark Carney, who, like him, has a background in economics.
In a heartfelt address, Mr. Leitão also spoke about his personal journey as an immigrant.
“This country has given me everything. It allowed me to build a good life, achieve professional success, and establish my family here. I feel a responsibility a duty to give back to Canadian society,” he said.
He credited his supportive wife, who questioned whether he was truly ready for a return to politics, and his children, who stand firmly behind his efforts.
According to polling data from the aggregators Québec125 and Canada338, Carlos Leitão currently leads voting intentions in Marc-Aurèle-Fortin with 57 percent, compared to 20 percent for his closest competitor, Claude Tousignant of the Bloc Québécois. If elected, he would join the already favored Liberal incumbents across the Laval ridings in the upcoming federal election on April 28.
