Karl Blackburn

Born in Chicoutimi in 1967, the son of businessman Gaston Blackburn and Nicole Desbiens, I have always been inspired by the values ​​of hard work, respect, and commitment. I graduated from the ELS International Language School, followed by a bachelor’s degree in administration, specializing in law and management, from the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi in 1992.

Subsequently, I ran the family business, Groupe G. Blackburn Inc., from 1994 to 2003, and owned the Quincaillerie Blackburn from 1996 to 2002.

My commitment to our Party began early, as a regional representative of the Young Liberals from 1988 to 1990, then as assistant coordinator of the Youth Commission in 1989. In 2001 and 2002, I had the honor of chairing the Roberval Liberal Association.

Elected Liberal MNA for Roberval in 2003, I served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Economic and Regional Development, and later to the Minister of Public Security.

Subsequently, from 2007 to 2013, I had the privilege of being the Chief Organizer and then the General Manager of the QLP.

I then held the position of Senior Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations for Canada at Resolute Forest Products. In June 2020, I was appointed President and CEO of the Conseil du patronat du Québec (CPQ), where I worked to represent and defend the interests of Quebec employers.

In 2024, I had to withdraw from the Quebec Liberal Party leadership race following a prostate cancer surgery. Today, strengthened by my experiences and recovered, I am ready to take on new challenges for our Party and our society.

It is time to work together to rebuild this great political party that has shaped Quebec.