CAQ members can now vote for next leader

The approximately 20,500 members of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) can now begin voting for their next leader.

The election, open to those who were CAQ members as of March 13, aims to determine whether Bernard Drainville or Christine Fréchette will take the reins of the political party.

Those eligible to vote in this leadership race have until 3 p.m. on Sunday to cast their ballots. They should have received a letter explaining how to vote.

François Legault’s successor as leader of the CAQ — and therefore, as premier of Quebec — will be announced Sunday at a convention in Drummondville.

According to preliminary figures released by the CAQ in mid-March, 20,576 members are eligible to vote for their next leader.

The leadership race took off in January when Legault announced his intention to step down as leader of the CAQ and not seek re-election in the next election.

Since then, Drainville and Fréchette have been putting forward numerous proposals, garnering significant support within the party caucus, and holding two head-to-head debates, one in Quebec City and the other in Laval.

Fréchette quickly secured the support of several ministers, including Jean-François Roberge, Benoit Charette, Mathieu Lacombe, Ian Lafrenière, Eric Girard, and France-Élaine Duranceau. She also received the endorsement of former minister Lionel Carmant.

On Tuesday, she announced three new endorsements: those of the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Jean-François Simard, the MNA for René-Lévesque, Yves Montigny, and the MNA for Bellechasse, Stéphanie Lachance.

According to Simard, Fréchette “embodies the quiet strength that Quebec needs to meet the challenges ahead.”

“Her keen understanding of economic issues, coupled with her genuine attachment to our national capital, where she earned her master’s degree, makes her a candidate capable of uniting people and staying focused on Quebec’s priorities,” he argued on social media.

Drainville, who already had the support of MNAs and leaders of the CAQ’s youth wing, announced on Monday that he had the backing of three ministers: Jonatan Julien, Simon Jolin-Barrette, and Sonia Bélanger. The Minister for the Economy, Samuel Poulin, is also in his camp.

While he will step down as premier once the next CAQ leader is chosen, Legault will complete his term as MNA for L’Assomption.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews