Roberge supports Fréchette, while Drainville welcomes two new supporters

Quebec Minister Responsible Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration Jean-Francois Roberge responds to the Opposition during question period at the legislature in Quebec City, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

By Patrice Bergeron, The Canadian Press

Posted January 27, 2026 12:23 pm.

The two candidates for the leadership of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) were keen to make a splash on the first day of the back-to-school caucus in Trois-Rivières on Tuesday.

Bernard Drainville appeared before the media with all the MNAs who support him, including two new supporters, MNAs Shirley Dorismond and Luc Provençal, while his rival Christine Fréchette received significant new support from the Minister responsible for Secularism, Jean-François Roberge.

This brings the number of supporters for Fréchette to 16, including six ministers, while Bernard Drainville now has eight supporters, including one minister.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews

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