CAQ is leaving the house in order, says Lafrenière

Le vice-premier ministre et ministre de la Sécurité intérieure du Québec, Ian Lafrenière, dépose un projet de loi sous le regard de la première ministre du Québec, Christine Frechette (à gauche), à l'Assemblée nationale du Québec, le mercredi 13 mai 2026.

While the province is in the red, CAQ Deputy Premier Ian Lafrenière insists that his party is leaving the house in order.

The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) — which had 90 MPs in 2022 — failed to win any seats in the election on 5 October.

The Parti Québécois (PQ) will form the next government, with its 59 MNAs, while the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) will be the official opposition.

On Wednesday, CAQ members held their very last cabinet meeting in the National Assembly, an emotional moment for many.

According to Lafrenière, they are leaving the house in order for the next government.

“We are leaving the house in a better state than before,’ he argued during a press scrum. ‘Progress has been made on all issues. (...) People will come to realize this.’

He cited relations with First Nations and the Inuit as an example.

“I am very proud of what we have achieved,” he said, while refusing to comment on public finances.

Lafrenière also indicated that he was considering the leadership of the CAQ. An interim leader will be chosen at the end of the week.

“I am keen to work on the future of this party,” he said. “We have some serious thinking to do. We’ll start that process; we’ll give ourselves time.”

“Several people have mentioned they are interested. The party is very much alive. We have our place. It’s important for the future,” he added.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Oct. 14, 2026.