A timeline of Quebec Premier François Legault’s political career as he resigns

Quebec Premier François Legault participates in a press conference with Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, not pictured, in Montreal's City Hall, on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

François Legault announced on Wednesday he will step down as Quebec premier when the Coalition Avenir Québec — the party he co-founded in 2011 — chooses his replacement. The departure of Legault, who had also co-founded Air Transat and was its CEO between 1986 and 1997, brings to an end a political career spanning 28 years with two political parties.

Here’s a timeline of key moments:

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2026.

Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press