Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard will not run for CAQ leadership

Quebec’s Minister of Finance Eric Girard takes parts part in press conference following a meeting with provincial and territorial Finance Ministers in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Finance Minister Eric Girard has decided not to run for the leadership of the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) to replace François Legault, but he does intend to run for a third term in October.

At a news conference on Wednesday morning at the National Assembly, Girard explained that he did not see a pathway for him to win the race.

• READ MORE: A look at some potential candidates for the Coalition Avenir Québec leadership

He plans to remain neutral during the race and work with whoever takes the helm of the party.

“The party will change, but the key elements of the party, nationalism—which I would like to see be more inclusive and unifying—the economy (...) This third way is important,” he told reporters.

However, Girard intends to run once again in the Groulx constituency, where he was elected in 2018 and 2022.

Meanwhile, two ministers in the Legault government indicated on Wednesday that they were still considering whether to run: Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette and Environment Minister Bernard Drainville.

“I think we need to focus on experience, and I think we need to unite Quebecers, not squabble, and work with other provinces to face threats. So that’s where my thinking is right now,” said Drainville, who says he is waiting for the rules of the race.

For his part, Jolin-Barrette has already received some support and has confirmed that he is “seriously considering” making the leap.

“Over the past few days, I have had conversations with several colleagues, some of whom have expressed their support (...) and that is very important because the CAQ is a team, it is the third way,” he said.

Jolin-Barrette has received support from former minister Suzanne Roy and Transport Minister Jonatan Julien, among others.

The other possible candidate who has garnered support is Economy Minister Christine Fréchette, who is considering her options.

Fréchette has received the support of three ministers: Mathieu Lacombe, Benoît Charrette and Gilles Bélanger.

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