Independent MNA Maïté Blanchette Vézina to attend Conservative convention

Quebec Minister of Natural Resources and Forests Maite Blanchette Vezina responds to reporters questions after she tabled a legislation on Mining, Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at the legislature in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Maïté Blanchette Vézina’s ties with the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) are continuing to grow, with the former Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) MNA confirming she plans to attend the party’s convention in January, where she is slated to deliver a speech.

The PCQ confirmed on Thursday that the Rimouski MNA has plans to address its members to discuss regional autonomy.

In a news release issued by the PCQ, Blanchette Vézina stated that Quebec needs a party for the regions and that she is “pleased that her experience can contribute to the development of the Conservative Party’s regional program.”

The Conservative convention is set to take place from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 in Quebec City.

Party leader Éric Duhaime said he was delighted to welcome the former CAQ minister.

“I am very pleased to welcome Maïté to our upcoming convention. This MNA shares our values and vision for Quebec’s regions. I look forward to hearing her interact with our activists,” he said. “The time has come to move on to a new stage in the party’s growth, and Maïté symbolizes this openness.”

Last month, Blanchette Vézina announced that she wanted to collaborate with Duhaime’s party to make her voice heard in the National Assembly.

The PCQ has no elected members in Parliament, so it cannot hold news conferences or introduce bills.

The MNA acknowledged that she shared values with Duhaime, but has categorically refused to represent the party for the time being.

However, she did not rule out running under the Conservative banner in 2026.

“If I return to a party, it will be one that has a solid vision for the regions. I haven’t read the Conservatives’ platform, so I’m not ready to run for them,” she said in mid-November.

In September, Blanchette Vézina caused a stir by slamming the door on the CAQ after being excluded from cabinet.

Upon her departure, she sharply criticized Premier François Legault, even calling on him to step down.

At the time, she said she was still convinced of the “relevance of a third way, one that is inspiring and pragmatic” and maintained that the CAQ was a “great and wonderful team.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Dec. 18, 2025.