‘Shock treatment’: Who’s in and out of Legault’s reshuffled cabinet?

Quebec Premier François Legault unveiled his reshuffled cabinet, a little over a year away from a provincial election that could be disastrous for the CAQ.

Quebec Premier François Legault unveiled his reshuffled cabinet Wednesday, a little over a year away from a provincial election that could be disastrous for his party.

He has said he hopes new blood can help turn the tides for the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) after hitting a new approval low. Five new faces were added to the cabinet while most retain their responsibilities or take on new ones.

After swearing in his new ministers, Legault said his government is in need of a “shock treatment” to win back Quebecers’ trust.

He wants to home in on the economy, bureaucratic efficiency, security and Quebec identity.

The CAQ has been mired in scandal and controversy in recent months, between the SAAQClic fiasco, the failed Northvolt battery deal and major cuts in education.

Legault also pushed the start of the parliamentary session in the National Assembly by two weeks, until Sept. 30, to allow his new ministers to get familiar with their portfolios.

Returning faces

Bernard Drainville will cede the education file to Sonia LeBel, formerly head of the Treasury Board, and take over environment.

Legault hopes Drainville will do a “thorough cleaning of the rules and authorization delays” in this role. In a scrum, Drainville told journalists he is open to reviewing Quebec’s greenhouse gas reduction targets.

France-Élaine Duranceau, formerly housing minister, moved up to Treasury Board president and will be minister of government administration and state efficiency.

Legault said he has “100 per cent” in Duranceau’s leadership.

As housing minister, Duranceau was responsible for Bill 31 which was highly criticized for ending lease transfers. She also changed the rent hike calculation formula, which tenants’ advocates say will lead to higher increases in coming years.

Housing will now be former seniors minister Sonia Bélanger’s responsibility.

In the midst of the SAAQclic scandal, Geneviève Guilbault lost the transportation file but remains in cabinet, responsible for municipal affairs.

Jonatan Julien, formerly responsible for infrastructure, inherited transportation, where he will defend the controversial Third Link project.

International relations will now be managed by Christopher Skeete, along with relations with anglophones and racism.

Employment goes to Pascale Déry and both seniors and women to Caroline Proulx.

Kateri Champagne Jourdain will take on the families file from Suzanne Roy, who will not seek re-election.

Ian Lafrenière becomes Minister of Public Security while retaining Indigenous Affairs.

Benoit Charette, formerly with Environment, becomes Minister of Infrastructure and former minister of international relations Martine Biron moves to higher education.

CAQ pillars

Legault is keeping some of his key players in place — Health Minister Christian Dubé is staying put, as well as Economy and Energy Minister Christine Fréchette and Finance Minister Eric Girard.

Dubé has said that it’s not his intention to run again next year.

Simon Jolin-Barrette will keep the justice and Canadian relations files.

Jean-François Roberge, a long-time CAQ member, will keep his responsibilities for identity issues, namely immigration, the French language, and secularism.

He is also responsible for democratic institutions and access to information.

Gilles Bélanger will continue his work in cybersecurity and digital technology, where he has been since replacing Éric Caire.

Chantal Rouleau remains in office as Minister of Social Solidarity and will take on the metropolis file.

Isabelle Charest will stay on sports, Mathieu Lacombe on culture, Lionel Carmant on social services and Jean Boulet on labour.

Boulet was highly criticized for his law project limiting the scope of strikes, Bill 89.

‘New blood’

Five MNAs who have so far remained on the back bench are joining the cabinet.

Samuel Poulin, of Beauce-Sud, will be responsible for two portfolios: youth and small and medium businesses.

Amélie Dionne of Rivière-du-Loup–Témiscouata takes on tourism.

Donald Martel is taking over agriculture from André Lamontagne, who is leaving the National Assembly after his term.

Éric Girard (not to be confused with Finance Minister Girard), from Lac-Saint-Jean, will handle regional economic development.

Former Parti Québécois minister Jean-François Simard is now Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Outgoing ministers

Some left of their own accord, including former agriculture minister Lamontagne and families minister Roy, who wishes to retire.

Andrée Laforest, who was responsible for municipal affairs, said she plans to run for Saguenay mayor in November.

Caire, the province’s former cybersecurity minister, was ousted earlier this year in the SAAQClic fallout.

Former security minister François Bonnardel said on Tuesday he was “extremely disappointed” not to be included in Legault’s refreshed cabinet despite wanting to stay on.

Former national resources and forestry minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina, who tabled Bill 97, is not on Legault’s latest roster. The proposed forestry reform has been strongly condemned by environmental groups and Indigenous communities who say it will destroy their way of life.

The next provincial election is slated for Oct. 5, 2026.

With files from The Canadian Press and CTV News Montreal’s Kelly Greig