Journalist Jean-François Cloutier is making the leap into politics. He will represent the Parti Québécois in the Montarville riding in the upcoming general election. The Parti Québécois (PQ) made the announcement in a news release on Friday morning. Cloutier is a journalist at the Journal de Montréal. Since 2013, he has been a member of Quebecor’s Investigative Bureau and has worked on several investigative stories, notably on the governance of Otéra, a subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, as well as on the practices of Investissement Québec. In the news release, he stated his desire to continue “uncovering the truth and lifting the veil to inform the public” in politics, just as he has done in journalism. He has decided to set aside his journalistic duty of discretion to fully express his convictions, noting that he has been a “staunch supporter of independence since college.” He has lived with his family in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville for several years and previously resided on Montreal’s South Shore. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 7, 2026.
