QC Minister Christine Fréchette entering race for CAQ leadership

Economy Minister Christine Fréchette officially launched her campaign for the leadership of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) on Sunday, emphasizing nationalism and the economy. 

Surrounded by ministers and members of parliament who support her, Fréchette spoke at the premises of the industrial construction company Groupe PRO-B, in Trois-Rivières, the city where she was born.

“This company embodies the people, the entrepreneurs, the companies that I want to help, that we want to help,” she said, emphasizing that the PRO-B Group is part of the energy transition and defense sector. 

“The challenges of the energy transition in which we are engaged represent opportunities for Quebec, opportunities for development, business opportunities. We must capitalize on our natural resources,” said Fréchette, emphasizing that Quebec possesses resources “in abundance.” 

She reiterated that the development of Quebec’s autonomy and powers must take place within Canada. 

As the Parti Québécois (PQ) holds its convention in Saint-Hyacinthe this weekend, Fréchette argued that the current moment is “the worst time in 50 years to hold a referendum.” The PQ has pledged to hold a referendum during its first term. 

“In the current context, both at the North American and international levels, it would be really imprudent, very irresponsible to embark on this approach,” she added.

Fréchette also emphasized the importance of the regions, indicating that she will be touring throughout Quebec in the coming weeks. 

“Our future lies in our regions. They are the lifeblood of Quebec,” she argued. “A strong Quebec is not just Montreal and Quebec City, it’s all of our territories.”

Fréchette, who described herself as “centre-right” on Sunday, did not say whether her leadership would mark a break with that of François Legault. 

The minister also said she began seriously considering running for the leadership position at the beginning of January. She reported speaking with Legault’s chief of staff, Martin Koskinen, about a week before her resignation. 

She told Koskinen at that time that people were asking her what her intentions would be if Legault left his position as premier. 

“I wanted to inform Koskinen of this development. He told me it was relevant for me to think about it,” said Fréchette. 

Fréchette’s candidacy is in addition to that of her colleague Bernard Drainville, Minister of the Environment, who on Saturday expressed his intention to try to succeed Legault. 

Fréchette wanted to welcome Drainville’s entry into the race, describing him as “passionate” and “dedicated”. 

“I know he offered to sign my candidate’s ballot, and I will do the same. I would even go further: I invite all the MNAs who support me to sign his ballot as well. We are both committed to a movement for which party unity must prevail,” she said. 

Drainville also congratulated Fréchette in a message on social media.

“This promises good discussions and interesting debates about the future of our party and Quebec. I look forward to exchanging ideas with her,” he wrote. 

The two candidates will have to temporarily step down from their ministerial duties, according to the race rules unveiled on Thursday. 

The French Fact in Immigration

Former PQ member Christine Fréchette was first elected in 2022 under the CAQ banner in the Sanguinet riding, in Montérégie. 

She first held the position of Minister of Immigration, from October 2022 to September 2024. In this role, she contributed to the integration of French language proficiency requirements into immigration programs. 

When questioned on Sunday about the abolition of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), Fréchette emphasized the importance of the French fact and the need to consider the province’s capacity to receive immigrants. 

“When the capacity is there, I think we need to ensure that the needs of SMEs in the regions, particularly in regions without population growth, are taken into consideration,” she said. 

After Pierre Fitzgibbon’s departure, she took over the files of the super-minister of the Economy.

In particular, she spearheaded the major energy reform adopted under gag orders last June.

A series of supports 

The Minister of Culture, Mathieu Lacombe, as well as the Minister responsible for relations with First Nations and Inuit, Ian Lafrenière, expressed their support for Fréchette in speeches just before the announcement of her candidacy. 

“We need someone with a background and economic skills, especially in these uncertain times,” said Lacombe. “Christine has that experience.”

Other ministers who have voiced their support for Fréchette’s candidacy include Benoit Charette, Kateri Champagne Jourdain and Chantal Rouleau. 

Minister Drainville announced his candidacy for the leadership race on Saturday. He has the support of the Minister Delegate for the Economy, Samuel Poulin, and MNAs Kariane Bourassa, Yannick Gagnon, and Isabelle Lecours.

To qualify for the race, candidates will need to obtain the signatures of 1000 CAQ members from at least 75 ridings, including 15 members of parliament 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.

Interested individuals have until Feb. 21st to submit their applications. The new leader of the CAQ, and therefore the next premier, will be chosen on April 12th.

Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette said Friday that he will not be running, as did former Transport Minister François Bonnardel. On Saturday, Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Jean-François Simard indicated that he was withdrawing his candidacy.

– With information from Thomas Laberge

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews