CAQ leadership: Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette invited to run
Posted January 16, 2026 10:32 am.
Last Updated January 16, 2026 3:50 pm.
After Minister Christine Fréchette, it is Simon Jolin-Barrette’s turn to be invited to enter the race to succeed François Legault.
Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) MNAs Shirley Dorismond and Mario Asselin believe he should enter the race. The man himself responded with a cryptic message on social media.
“I’m asking Simon to come out of his den and get in the race,” she said in an interview with The Canadian Press on Friday.
According to her, the current Minister of Justice embodies the CAQ’s third way.
“Simon is a reformer. He has 12 years of experience as an MNA and as a minister. He was at the decision-making table as a legislator. He has made many reforms and laws. He understands the economic issues and we must not forget that he also has the file of Canadian relations,” she argues.
Dorismond, however, did not want to guarantee her support to Jolin-Barrette should he decide to run.
“I want to see his ideas and his vision. For me, that’s important first. When he confirms, I will consider his candidacy and I will be the first to call him to ask: ‘So, what is your vision?'” the MNA explains.
For his part, Asselin believes he is the “best candidate” and is throwing his support behind him.
“I felt it was important to get behind him given that he represents the new generation, given what he has done as a parliamentarian, given the many bills he has introduced as a parliamentarian. That has always impressed me,” he said in an interview with The Canadian Press on Friday.
Shortly after his colleagues’ announcement, Jolin-Barrette posted a message on social media in which he did not clearly indicate his intentions.
“I would like to thank my colleagues for their kind words over the past few days. The departure of Mr. Legault, a great statesman, leaves a void in the CAQ family. Since 2018, we have carried out major reforms in Quebec, particularly in terms of economic development and the defense of our national identity. We have done better in these areas than the governments that preceded us. We must be proud of our achievements and redouble our efforts in the face of criticism,” he wrote.
“This pride must be shared as a team. The CAQ caucus is full of talented members, determined colleagues who are well established in their communities and regions. I am honored to sit alongside you in the National Assembly and to defend a strong and ambitious vision for Quebec. There are ten months left in the mandate, and Quebecers want a government that will work tirelessly to improve things in all regions of Quebec. I am convinced that we have all the talent and determination to achieve this,” continued the justice minister.
While Fréchette represents more of an economic candidacy – she is minister of economy, innovation and energy – Jolin-Barrette represents more of the nationalist camp within the CAQ.
He was notably the one who oversaw Law 21 on the secularism of the State and Law 96 to strengthen the French language.
Other potential candidates
On Thursday, Fréchette said she would begin considering the possibility after receiving the support of Minister Gilles Bélanger.
For his part, Finance Minister Eric Girard indicated that he was “interested” in the leadership, but that it was too early to say whether he would take the plunge. He wants to know the rules first.
Ministers Jean-François Simard, Bernard Drainville, and Christopher Skeete have not closed the door. Former Public Security Minister François Bonnardel has also not ruled out running.
Geneviève Guilbault and Sonia LeBel may also be interested in running.
The rules of the race are to be announced shortly. The CAQ wants to proceed quickly with the election of its new leader. We already know that ministers who wish to stand as candidates will have to resign from their posts in the interests of fairness.
Olivier Primeau not taking the plunge
The name of entrepreneur Olivier Primeau had been circulating in recent days. The man himself closed the door on Friday.
“In recent days, my name has been mentioned a lot in lists of potential successors to François Legault. It touches me more than people can imagine,” he wrote on social media.
“I still have important things to accomplish, both personally and professionally. I have projects to complete, responsibilities to fulfill, and experiences to gain. I want to do things properly and in the right order. So, I have decided not to enter the race at this time,” he added.
However, he says he has an “interest in this race, the people who will be running in it, and above all, the ideas that will be debated.”
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
