Former minister Lionel Carmant rejoins the CAQ
Posted April 1, 2026 8:50 am.
Last Updated April 1, 2026 10:54 am.
Lionel Carmant, Quebec’s former minister of social services, is rejoining the Coalition Avenir Québec party.
He made the announcement alongside Premier François Legault on Wednesday morning.
Carmant had announced on social media that he would return to the CAQ caucus if Christine Fréchette is elected new leader of the party on April 12.
However, on Wednesday, he said he made the decision to come back earlier to show support for his friend Premier Legault before he leaves.
“When I left he was there for me and it’s important now for me to be there with him for his last week,” he told reporters at the National Assembly.
“I’m very happy that my friend Lionel is coming home,” Legault added.
Carmant had been sitting as an independant since October after stepping down from the CAQ caucus following the party’s decision to pass Bill 2, legislation imposing salary restrictions on doctors. Carmant, his wife and daughter are all doctors.
Legault announced his resignation in January.
