New Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette’s Cabinet picks are in! Enterprise Canada looks at who’s in, who’s out and what it means.
What does this mean for Quebec?
With the October 5 election looming, Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette opted for continuity, with a few fresh faces, in her new Cabinet.
With the National Assembly set to resume on May 5 following prorogation, and with the upcoming examination of the estimates (Études des crédits) required after the Government of Quebec’s March budget, maintaining stability was key.
Cabinet making is a balancing act
Balancing the need for ministers to have a strong command of their files with the expectations of supporters – while also avoiding alienating those aligned with her rival Bernard Drainville and ensuring regional representation in Cabinet – makes an already complex process even more challenging.
Who’s Out
Premier Christine Fréchette’s decision were made just a bit easier with the departure of former ministers Geneviève Guilbault, Jonatan Julien and Isabelle Charest, who honoured their pledge not to run again. Their absence from the new Cabinet gave the Premier added flexibility.
Who’s Back
First up, Finance Minister Eric Girard, a Fréchette ally, remains in his role, as ministers are expected to be fully prepared to respond to detailed questions regarding their department’s estimates.
Also returning to the Cabinet table is longtime MNA and party stalwart François Bonnardel. An early supporter of Premier Christine Fréchette during the leadership race, Bonnardel takes on the Immigration portfolio, where he will be tasked with addressing the status of individuals already in Quebec with professional experience who were left in limbo after the François Legault government scrapped the PEQ (Programme de l’expérience québécoise).
Others remaining in Cabinet are Health Minister Sonia Bélanger, Education Minister Sonia LeBel, Labour Minister Jean Boulet and Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau. Simon Jolin-Barrette remains at Justice but loses the House Leader role to Bonnardel, while Ian Lafrenière retains Public Safety and takes on the additional title of Deputy Premier.
Who’s New
Pascale Déry will now be Environment Minister with Samuel Poulin replacing Guilbault at Municipal Affairs.
As for Bernard Drainville, he gets the economic role he’s always coveted becoming Super Minister of the Economy and Energy.
New Ministry
There will be a new Minister for Regions with Mathieu Lévesque, long time rumoured candidate for promotion, heading up this new entity as the regions will determine who wins the next election.
Premier Fréchette’s Cabinet:
Ian Lafrenière
Deputy Premier
Interior Security
First Nations and Inuit Relations
Bernard Drainville
Economy
Innovation
Energy
Maritime Strategy
Simon Jolin-Barrette
Justice
Constitutional Affairs
François Bonnardel
Immigration
Francisation and Integration
House Leader
Lionel Carmant
Social Services
Jean-François Roberge
French Language and Secularism
France-Élaine Duranceau
Government Administration
Treasury Board
Cybersecurity and Digital
Eric Girard
Finance
Infrastructure
Sonia LeBel
Education
Sonia Bélanger
Health
Seniors and Caregivers
Mathieu Lacombe
Culture and Communication
Jean Boulet
Labour
Canadian Relations
Kateri Champagne Jourdain
Natural Resources and Forests
Pascale Déry
Environment
Climate change
Parks
Martine Biron
Higher Education
Status of Women
Samuel Poulin
Municipal Affairs
Catherine Blouin
Family
Donald Martel
Agriculture
Fisheries
Christopher Skeete
International Relations
Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers
Fight Against Racism
Benoit Charette
Transport and Sustainable Mobility
Amélie Dionne
Tourism
Jean François Simard
Employment
Chantal Rouleau
Social Solidarity and Montreal Region
Karine Boivin Roy
Housing
Karine Bourassa
Sport
Mathieu Lévesque
Youth
Regions
Eric Girard (Lac-Saint-Jean MNA)
Regional Economic Development
Daniel Bernard
Small and Medium Businesses