Charest makes an emotional campaign announcement: He’ll be a granddad

SHERBROOKE, Que. – Jean Charest used an election campaign stop today to announce that he will become a grandfather.

The Liberal premier was joined by his wife, Michele Dionne, at a highly personal campaign event where he spoke about women’s issues.

Charest touted his track record on gender issues, noting that he had named the first provincial cabinet with as many women as men and also introduced pay equity and gender-parity policies in government agencies.

On the stage, as he made the speech, Charest was surrounded by female Liberal candidates and by his wife.

Dionne wiped a tear from her eye while Charest discussed their family.

He paid tribute to his mother-in-law in the room, spoke about their daughters, and told the crowd that he and Dionne were about to have a grandchild: a baby girl.

Charest made the speech in his home riding of Sherbrooke, which a poll suggests he could lose. His wife, Dionne, is campaigning for him there while he tours the province.