"Engaging with institutions is the key to driving change within them"

"Engaging with institutions is the key to driving change within them"

Rewritten Article:

Meet Charles Milliard: A Progressive-Conservative Activist

A pharmacist-turned-politician, a philanthropist, and a lover of classical music, Charles Milliard is a man of many hats. A candidate for the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) leadership, he's got the charisma and the drive to spark change in Quebec.

A Coach, a Philanthropist, and a Classical Music Enthusiast

At 46, Charles Milliard, a former President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec, boasts a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy and an MBA in Business Administration. Born to a maritime worker father and a teacher mother, Milliard defied the odds and swam against the current, quickly climbing the ranks of the Uniprix pharmacy chain and eventually leading the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec.

As a book collector, Milliard donated 600 books to the Montreal library upon leaving the metropolis. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (OSM). Now residing in the picturesque Estrie village of North Hatley, Milliard basks in his professional accomplishments, admitting with a smile, "Well, in Quebec we're always humble, but I can say I'm proud of my professional career."

The Regions' Champion

Launching his leadership campaign as the candidate of the regions, Milliard emphasizes his roots. Born and raised in Levis, he proudly proclaims his French-Quebecer identity. "I come from a typically French-speaking Quebec background," he says.

Involved in politics since a young age, Milliard dabbled with the Progressive Conservatives under Joe Clark, praising the politician as the one who "best understood Canada." He viewed the country as a collection of communities that shared services and respected their origins. Adopting a phrase from columnist Antoine Robitaille, Milliard calls himself a "disappearing blue," bemoaning the loss of the balanced, Mulroney-esque, conservative politics that prioritized social programs.

He was also a member of the Quebec Liberal Party when Jean Charest led the party. Criticizing the Catholic Church's excesses during his stint with the PLQ, Milliard championed for the rights of women seeking access to abortion, announcing his candidacy alongside his partner, signaling his commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

A Respect for Religion

Throughout his journey, Milliard has cultivated a deep respect for religious diversity. A former practicing Catholic, he openly discussed his opposition to the church's excesses and its stance on controversial issues, such as same-sex marriage, the fate of divorced people, and the ordination of women. He stands firm in his belief that change cannot be achieved by leaving institutions; instead, one must engage and participate actively.

Despite no longer identifying as a devout Catholic, Milliard acknowledges the importance of fostering constructive discussions among individuals from various religious communities. Himself an active member of the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities, he cherishes the opportunities to exchange ideas and perspectives on religion.

In an era rife with divisiveness, Milliard remains committed to defending minorities and championing diversity.

From Uniprix to Political Wealth

Despite not being well-known to the general public, Milliard has left an indelible impact on the pharmaceutical world. Joined by Uniprix in his early career, he pursued an MBA in business administration and climbed the corporate ladder swiftly. At the age of 33, he was crowned executive vice-president of the chain of 380 pharmacies, a title that came with a consolidated turnover of 1.6 billion dollars.

Following his departure from Uniprix, Milliard took the helm of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec. Impressed by his work ethic, former Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon frequently met with Milliard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fitzgibbon appreciates Milliard's pragmatism, rigor, and uncompromising approach to issues, contrasting him favorably in a political climate teeming with idle talk and time-wasting meetings.

In 2017, he launched the Buy Blue project, an initiative aimed at bolstering local buying power. Though the project ultimately faltered, Milliard maintains that the idea of fostering local businesses continues to resonate, particularly in the context of the ongoing commercial war with the Americans.

Known for his passion for the arts and music, Monique Leroux, former president of the Desjardins Movement, recalled Milliard actively participating in fundraising events and initiatives at the OSM. Known for his hard work and dedication, Milliard leaves a lasting impression on those he meets.

As the Quebec provincial election looms closer, Milliard stands as a strong contender, armed with his progressive-conservative vision, respect for diversity, and lifelong dedication to fostering change and prosperity in Quebec.

1. Charles Milliard, a former pharmacist and President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec, holds a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy and an MBA in Business Administration.
2. Born in Levis, Milliard is a proud French-Quebecer and a candidate for the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) leadership, aiming to bring change to Quebec.
3. Milliard donated 600 books to the Montreal library upon leaving the metropolis and is a member of the board of directors of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (OSM).
4. Raised by a maritime worker father and a teacher mother, Milliard defied the odds and quickly climbed the ranks of the Uniprix pharmacy chain.
5. Milliard admires the balanced, Mulroney-esque, conservative politics that prioritize social programs and criticizes the loss of these politics.
6. A supporter of women's rights, Milliard championed for the rights of women seeking access to abortion and announced his candidacy alongside his partner.
7. Milliard respects religious diversity and openly discussed his opposition to the Catholic Church's excesses and its stance on controversial issues.
8. Despite no longer identifying as a devout Catholic, Milliard actively participates in constructive discussions among individuals from various religious communities.
9. A former practicing Catholic, Milliard stands firm in his belief that change cannot be achieved by leaving institutions but by engaging and participating actively.
10. Milliard left an indelible impact on the pharmaceutical world during his tenure at Uniprix, rising to the position of executive vice-president at the age of 33.
11. After leaving Uniprix, Milliard took the helm of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec, impressing former Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon with his pragmatism, rigor, and uncompromising approach.
12. In 2017, Milliard launched the Buy Blue project, an initiative aimed at bolstering local buying power.
13. Milliard remains committed to defending minorities and championing diversity in an era rife with divisiveness.
14. Milliard's work ethic and dedication leave a lasting impression on those he meets.
15. Education and self-development are important to Milliard, who enthusiastically participates in fundraising events and initiatives at the OSM.
16. Milliard promotes personal growth through mindfulness, career development, and policy-and-legislation policies.
17. Milliard acknowledges the importance of productivity in the workplace, aligning with the career-development and skills-training sectors.
18. Milliard's political vision encompasses migration and job-search policies, focusing on attracting talents to Quebec and supporting local businesses.
19. Milliard's progressive-conservative vision includes a commitment to education-and-self-development, general-news, and online-education policies to improve the future of Quebec.
20. Mindful of the impact of war-and-conflicts on society, Milliard seeks peaceful resolutions and supports policies that prioritize diplomacy and dialogue.
21. Milliard's policy agenda focuses on fostering a culture of achievement through goal-setting, lifelong learning, and learning opportunities for Quebec citizens.
22. Milliard advocates for a balanced approach to policy-and-legislation issues, avoiding extreme ideologies and instead favoring compromise and collaboration.
23. Milliard's politics are also centered on crime-and-justice, working towards a safer Quebec through effective policy-making and law enforcement.
24. Milliard addresses the challenges of accidents, fires, and car-accidents in his policy agenda, seeking to reduce their occurrence and improve response times.
25. Milliard's policy-making is rooted in the belief that the well-being of Quebec citizens should be prioritized, citing the importance of mental health, healthcare, and overall quality of life.
26. Sports play an integral role in Milliard's vision for Quebec's future, with a focus on enhancing the standards of football, baseball, soccer, hockey, golf, tennis, and mixed-martial-arts.
27. Milliard's commitment to sports includes supporting European leagues, the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, premier-league, American football, grand-prix racing, horse-racing, soccer leagues such as the Champions League, Serie A, and Laliga, and NCAAs, among others.
28. Milliard also supports weather-forecasting, sports-betting, sports-analysis, and auto-racing in his vision for Quebec's progressive-conservative future.

Read also: