Saint-Jérôme Independent MNA Youri Chassin will not stand for re-election

Independent MNS Yopuri Chassin questions the government during question period, Thursday, October 10, 2024 at the legislature in Quebec City. Chassin, who left the government caucus was at his first question to the government since he left. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

The independent MNA for Saint-Jérôme, Youri Chassin, will not seek re-election in next autumn’s provincial election.

Chassin, who was previously a Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) MNA before walking out of the party in September 2024, made the announcement on Friday evening in a social media post.

Chassin wrote that he was leaving “politics with a few scars,” but was hopeful for the future.

“For now, I like having no plans, no ambitions, nothing but a joyful faith in life,” he stated in a post in which he thanked his colleagues and reflected on his years as an MNA.

“I hope that my second term will not be remembered solely for my departure from the CAQ,” he said in the same post.

Chassin left the CAQ in 2024, criticizing his own government over its management of public finances.

Chassin was first elected as the Member for Saint-Jérôme under the CAQ banner in 2018.

An economist by training, Chassin served as director of research at the Montreal Economic Institute (IEDM), a right-wing think tank, before entering politics.

Following the 2022 election, he admitted to being ‘disappointed’ at not having been appointed a minister, but chose to fall into line, saying he was ‘proud’ to be part of the CAQ team.

- With information from Thomas Laberge

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 11, 2026.