Legault attacks opponents, says only CAQ can protect economy, French language

Premier François Legault announces his resignation in Quebec City on January 14, 2026. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

The Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) remains the only party capable of taking action on both the economy and the decline of French in Montreal, according to François Legault.

At a press conference at the National Assembly on Wednesday, the outgoing premier denied that his party was in trouble. He said he was “confident” about the future, given the weaknesses of his political opponents.

• 59% of Quebecers no longer trust the government on the economy
• A look at some potential candidates for the Coalition Avenir Québec leadership

He said that in the Trump era, the Parti Québécois (PQ) had no expertise in economics and was likely to create “uncertainty,” while the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) would probably not defend French in the city.

“We need the CAQ to meet these two challenges,” he said. “The CAQ’s number one priority is prosperity within Canada, but by seeking greater autonomy to defend our language and our values. This is more relevant than ever.”

Legault downplayed the departure of some heavyweights from his government. Earlier this week, Geneviève Guilbault and Sonia LeBel announced that they would be leaving politics at the end of their term.

These departures in an election year are “normal,” argued Legault, inviting journalists to look at the profiles of those who remain. “The CAQ has the strongest team. (...) We have nothing to envy anyone.”

• Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard will not run for CAQ leadership

Legault also indicated that he had no intention of proroguing Parliament “for the time being.” He said he wanted to continue “moving Quebec forward” despite the upheavals that the CAQ leadership race is sure to bring.

If ministers choose to run as candidates, they will have to resign from their ministerial positions, which recently prompted PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon to say that he feared major “disruption” within the government.

The parliamentary session in Quebec City will open on Feb. 3. The person who will replace François Legault as CAQ leader and premier of Quebec will likely be elected at a convention in April.

A general election is scheduled for October, but St-Pierre Plamondon has repeatedly urged the government to call an election this spring.

“It is in Quebec’s interest to go before the electorate and say, ‘OK, what do we do?’” he said last Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 21, 2026.

By Caroline Plante, The Canadian Press