Charles Milliard on leadership, economy, and the fight against misinformation

Tashi Farmilo

Charles Milliard, a pharmacist and former President of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ), has built his public life around a simple principle: leadership begins with listening.

Drawing on years of experience in healthcare, business, and community service, Milliard believes strongly in economic renewal through targeted support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He advocates reducing the SME tax rate from 11.5% to 10%, introducing tax incentives for smooth business succession, and exempting employer contributions to the Health Services Fund for five years—measures aimed squarely at stimulating local growth. “Our SMEs are the backbone of our prosperity,” Milliard said, emphasizing the need to dismantle interprovincial and international trade barriers so Quebec businesses can thrive in new markets.

On healthcare, Milliard proposes concrete solutions to address chronic underfunding, especially in underserved areas such as the Outaouais. He suggests legislation guaranteeing salary parity for healthcare workers with their Ontario counterparts, along with a $200 million investment in regional healthcare infrastructure and workforce retention. "Quebecers work hard, pay high taxes, and deserve accessible, quality healthcare," he insisted, emphasizing prevention, innovation, and efficiency rather than harmful cuts.

Milliard's education platform calls for significant reform, advocating the creation of a professional order for teachers to elevate the profession, standardize training, and ensure accountability. He believes modernizing the curriculum is essential to reducing dropout rates, particularly among young boys. "We must build a system that gives every child, in every region, an equal opportunity to succeed," he stated.

Youth engagement is also central to Milliard's vision. Inspired by younger members of his community, he supports mandatory paid internships to help students manage the rising cost of living. He argues that young people deserve a meaningful seat at the political table, as their voices are critical for Quebec’s future.

On the sensitive issue of language, Milliard maintains a balanced approach. He is committed to strengthening French through enhanced francization programs while respecting minority communities. He emphasizes dialogue and unity over division, believing that linguistic diversity, approached respectfully, strengthens Quebec.

With growing concerns about misinformation and AI-generated deepfakes, Milliard underscores the importance of safeguarding Quebec’s media. "Quebecers deserve objective, reliable information, and safeguarding the integrity of our news media is vital to our democracy," he said.

Reflecting broadly on his public service, Milliard distilled his vision into a straightforward principle: "Political engagement should inspire pride rather than hostility."