‘They need some changes’: New CAQ leader, next Quebec premier will be chosen April 12

The new leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), and therefore the next premier of Quebec, will be chosen April 12.

The rules of the leadership race to name François Legault’s successor were revealed Thursday, marking the official launch of the race.

“We don’t change our vision just because we change our leader. We have values and a way of seeing the governance of Quebec that is quite clear, that is quite well defined,” said Sarah Beaumier, the president of the CAQ national executive council.

To qualify, candidates will need to obtain the signatures of 1,000 CAQ members from at least 75 ridings, including 15 Members of the National Assembly and 100 members of the party’s youth wing.

They will also have to make a non-refundable lump-sum contribution of $30,000. Election expenses are capped at $150,000.

Earlier this month, Legault announced he will be stepping down prior to the October provincial election.

Political analyst Karim Boulos says choosing a new leader to replace Legault is necessary for the party’s survival. He suggests whoever is chosen will have to reverse certain perceptions of the party.

“I think the CAQ needs a slightly softer tone than what Mr. Legault, his last few months have been quite firm, quite rigid,” Boulos said. “Many gaffes have been under his watch, whether it be the SAAQclic website, we’re looking at a billion-dollar disaster, we look at the Northvolt catastrophe.

“Whoever takes over the party is going to have to undo the bad stink that’s on the CAQ, the Bill 96, the Bill 1, Bill 2, Bill 3, secularism, and the restrictive nature, a whole notion of a constitution. Look, you can just pick whatever topic bothers you and something will bother you about the CAQ, whether you’re francophone, anglophone, allophone, there’s something in there for everybody.”

No candidate has officially declared they will enter the race. Cabinet ministers Bernard Drainville, Christine Fréchette and Simon Jolin-Barrette have expressed interest in running.

“I think that this will be good for the party, new faces, because I think they need some changes, a new person to represent the party,” said Montrealer Alain Pilon. “I think that it will add to get a new vision for the future.”

“The CAQ has been making big promises for a long time,” added Dave Les. “They never deliver on the promises they make.”

“I think the party needs to have a reflection about his direction because now it’s not good,” Janie Julien-Fort said.

Boulos says Jolin-Barrette was long considered Legault’s presumed successor “down the road.”

“I don’t think people suspected it would be in 2026, but Mr. Jolin-Barrette has been at Mr. Legault’s side every step of the way, every controversial decision, whether it be on secularism, whether it be on constitutional reform, whether it be on English rights or English, the role of English in Quebec, Mr. Jolin-Barrette has been there every step of the way,” Boulos said. “So he is the most likely successor when it comes to the notoriety, the continuity of the party.”

The next leader of the CAQ will take over a party that has been in power since 2018, but that has been trailing in the polls for some time.

In the most recent public opinion poll by Pallas Data on Jan. 10, the CAQ was tied with Québec solidaire in fourth place with 11 per cent of voter intention. The Parti Québecois led the poll with 34 per cent; the Quebec Liberals were in second with 24 per cent; and the Quebec Conservatives were in third with 16 per cent.

The Quebec provincial election is scheduled for Oct. 5.

–With files from La Presse Canadienne