Legault unveils shuffled cabinet

premiere François Legault has unveiled the names of the members of his young storage locker on midweek afternoon as he seeks to regain the public's combine ahead of the 2026 provincial election.

Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault will stay in cabinet, but she will hand over her ministry to the minister responsible for the National Capital Region and infrastructure, Jonatan Julien, to become minister of municipal affairs. Guilbault reportedly requested to oversee the portfolio.

Bernard Drainville, another big player in Legault's cabinet, will move from education to environment. 

Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel will step into his role as minister of education.

Ian Lafrenière is the new public security minister. Since 2020, he's been in charge of Indigenous affairs, a file he is keeping. He had a career in the police before entering politics and served as a parliamentary assistant to the minister of public security from 2018 to 2020. 

Finance Minister Eric Girard won't be responsible for relations with English-speaking Quebecers anymore. He has held the portfolio since 2022. Christopher Skeete will take over this file, as well as the international relations and francophonie responsibilities.

Some ministers will hold on to their current portfolios, including Girard, Christian Dubé, who has been health minister since 2020, and Simon Jolin-Barrette as justice minister.

Jean-François Roberge also remains the minister in charge of immigration, French language, relations with the Canadian Francophonie, secularism, democratic institutions, and access to information and protection of personal information.

Legault has promised change and said in recent weeks he has been consulting with citizens, MNAs and cabinet members on "how to better serve the needs of Quebecers."

Several ministers have already confirmed their departures. Quebec Public Security Minister François Bonnardel announced Tuesday on social media that Legault had removed him from cabinet.

"In recent days, the premier informed me of his desire to rejuvenate his team. Obviously, I am extremely disappointed with how events have unfolded," Bonnardel wrote.

Bonnardel said he intends to run again in the 2026 provincial election. He was among several ministers called to testify before the Gallant commission, along with Legault himself, regarding overspending on the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec's digital transition project, known as SAAQclic.

Two other cabinet members are also stepping down. André Lamontagne, minister in charge of agriculture and Suzanne Roy, Quebec's family minister, will leave their posts to make room for new faces.

Lamontagne, first elected in the riding of Johnson, Que., in 2014, has overseen the agriculture, fisheries and food portfolio since 2018. In a post on X, he thanked constituents and said it was an honour to serve farmers across the province.

Roy, elected in the riding of Verchères, Que., in 2022, announced in a Facebook post Monday that she would not run again in 2026, saying she has decided to begin a gradual transition toward retirement.

"It is a privilege for me to represent you and an honour to have been your elected representative for nearly 30 years," she wrote, adding she will continue to serve until the end of her term.

Legault's Coalition Avenir Québec party has lost three consecutive byelections to the Parti Québécois.

The next provincial election will be held in a little more than a year on Oct. 5, 2026.

Legault reportedly met privately with ministers over the summer to discuss their political futures. Roy confirmed she informed the premier of her decision in July.

The shuffle comes a week after Andrée Laforest, Quebec's municipal affairs minister, announced her resignation and her plans to enter the Saguenay mayoral race in the upcoming municipal election. 

Legault is set to deliver an opening speech when the legislature resumes Sept. 30, where he is expected to outline his vision for change following months of consultations.

Journalist

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