Quebec constitution: Fréchette could remove article on abortion if she wins CAQ leadership

Christine Fréchette speaks to the media during the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) caucus meeting in Trois-Rivières, Que., on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

Christine Fréchette, who is running to succeed François Legault, is considering removing the controversial Article 29 from Quebec’s draft constitution, which aims to protect the right to abortion.

“I think that if there is no support for it, we will either have to reword it or remove it,” Fréchette said during a press scrum on Wednesday at the National Assembly.

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The bill’s sponsor, Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette, is adamant about this article, despite protests from numerous groups. They argue that legislating abortion could open the door to limiting this right for women.

• READ MORE: Why Quebec’s plan to enshrine abortion rights is raising alarms

“I see that there is no support for Article 29 in the draft Constitution from women’s groups, and for me, that is an important factor,” said Fréchette, adding that otherwise, she supported Simon Jolin-Barrette’s bill.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 18, 2026.

Thomas Laberge, Th