Quebec minister Guilbault will leave politics at the end of her term

QUÉBEC — Quebec Municipal Affairs Minister Geneviève Guilbault announced Sunday morning that she would leave politics at the end of her term, saying the decision had been made ”a long time ago.”

Guilbault held a press conference in her Louis-Hébert electoral district in the Quebec City area, where she told reporters “Today is a very special day for me, a day I have been waiting for for a long time.”

She cited family reasons for stepping away from politics. “If I continue in politics for another four years, I risk regretting having missed out on my children’s childhood in a way, because my mind would have been elsewhere during all those precious years.” Guilbault, 43, had her two children — Capucine, 8, and Christophe, 6 — with her at the event.

Guilbault insisted the decision “has nothing to do with current events, nothing to do with the premier’s announcement this week, nothing to do with polls or any other circumstantial factors.”

Premier François Legault announced on Jan. 14 that he would resign from his position. On X, he reacted to the announcement and thanked Guilbault for “her commitment, her energy, her fieldwork, and her trust,” adding that he understood her desire to spend more time with her children.

Guilbault said she would complete her mandate, which is expected to end with the next Quebec general election, scheduled no later than Oct. 5.

The minister had been a central figure for the CAQ for eight years and was known for her communication skills. “I have given my all to politics. I have worked seven days a week,” she said. She served as Quebec deputy premier from 2022 to 2025.

However, the star of the former minister of transport faded during the Gallant Commission’s investigation into the SAAQclic fiasco. While she said he had only learned of the extent of the cost overruns in 2025, documents showed that she had been informed in 2023.

Guilbault was reportedly warned that Commissioner Denis Gallant’s final report, expected by Feb. 13, would cite her for “misconduct.”

During her tenure at Transport from 2022 to 2025, she also had run-ins with cities over public transit funding. Not to mention her numerous changes of heart regarding the controversial third road link between Quebec City and Lévis, which ultimately undermined her credibility.

Guilbault first won Louis-Hébert in a 2017 byelection, marking a symbolic breakthrough for the CAQ in a Liberal bastion held since 2003.

She was easily re-elected in 2018 and 2022. “We are, in a way, here this morning in what I call an unfolding of the beginning,” she said.

As public security minister from 2018 to 2022, she introduced the CAQ government’s first bill, aimed at “depoliticizing” appointments. She listed projects she said made her proud, including Promenade Samuel-De Champlain Phase 3 in Quebec City and the electronic monitoring bracelet program to better protect domestic-violence victims. She also launched Operation Centaur to combat firearms trafficking.

She spoke about the importance of female representation in politics.

”I am involved in politics to change Quebec, but also for women.” She said many women had encouraged her, stressing the need for role models ”who thrive in male-dominated environment.”

Before being elected, Guilbault worked as a spokesperson for the coroner’s office. She was also press secretary for Liberal Minister Jacques Dupuis.

On Sunday, she said she was not closing the door permanently on politics, but that for now, her family had to come first.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2026.

The Canadian Press