Conservatives called ‘heartless’ for pledging to block bill banning energy drinks for minors

The Quebec Conservative Party's sole MNA is opposed to a potential bill to ban the sale of energy drinks, like Monster, to minors under 16.

All signs point to Éric Duhaime’s Conservatives blocking the passage of a bill that would ban energy drinks for those under 16, prompting their political opponents to call them heartless.

The imminent introduction of a bill on energy drinks sparked a strong reaction in the National Assembly on Thursday.

The independent member for Rimouski, Maïté Blanchette Vézina—who is now affiliated with the Conservative Party—said she suspects the CAQ government is acting on this issue out of pure opportunism.

“The government could have introduced this bill three years ago. Now, it’s deciding to do so out of populism to gain political capital, using a child’s death to boost its poll numbers.

“I’m sorry, but I think it’s healthy to resist this kind of populism and take the time,” she said during a press briefing.

• Rosemere council adopts motion calling for Quebec to ban sale of energy drinks to minors
• Quebec school groups call for ban on energy drinks for youth after Zachary Miron’s death

This spring, a broad social movement rallied behind the cause of Zachary Miron’s parents after the 15-year-old died from drinking Red Bull. The drink interacted with his ADHD medication.

A petition calling for a ban on energy drinks for minors, signed by more than 35,000 people, was recently tabled in the National Assembly by MNA Guillaume Cliche-Rivard of Québec solidaire (QS).

“My mother and other people take medications that interact with grapefruit. That can cause deaths; it can interact with medications. Are we going to ban grapefruit?” Blanchette Vézina said on Thursday.

“Disgraceful,” Health Minister Sonia Bélanger immediately responded. “I think it’s a matter of dogmatism, of the values they hold ... Grapefruit and the effect of energy drinks on young people have nothing to do with each other.”

The minister has in her possession an expert report from 2023 recommending a ban on the sale of these products to minors.

“This is a way of acting on the part of the Conservatives and Mr. Duhaime that I would describe as heartless. I invite him to sit down for five minutes with Zachary’s parents. I swear to you he’ll change his mind,” said QS spokesperson Ruba Ghazal.

“I invite Éric Duhaime to reconnect with his heart, to think about young people, and then to support it,” she added.

If the government introduces its bill on Friday, it will need the support of all members of the legislature to waive the rules and pass it on an expedited basis as the legislative session ends on June 12.

“What happened is truly tragic. We want to make sure it doesn’t happen again. So, I expect all elected officials to support this bill. We’re very close to unanimity,” said Premier Christine Fréchette.

In addition to QS, the Liberal Party and the Parti Québécois have already announced their support for the government’s initiative.

“There has already been a tragic death in Quebec linked to the consumption of energy drinks. I am not prepared to wait for another tragedy,” Liberal House Leader André Fortin said on Thursday.

“I hope Mr. Duhaime will understand the full impact that a measure like this can have in protecting young people in Quebec.”

PQ MNA Joël Arseneau also urged that the energy drink bill be passed as a priority.

“I invite the Conservatives to consider the public interest and ... to cooperate in the process,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 4, 2026.

Caroline Plante, The Canadian Press