QC Minister Christine Fréchette is entering CAQ leadership race

TROIS-RIVIÈRES — Quebec Economy Minister Christine Fréchette officially launched her bid for the leadership of the Coalition Avenir Québec on Sunday, emphasizing nationalism and the economy.

Surrounded by ministers and members of the national assembly who support her, Fréchette made the announcement at the offices of Groupe PRO-B, an industrial construction company, in Trois-Rivières, her hometown. She said the location choice was intentional.

“This company embodies the people, entrepreneurs and businesses that I want to help, that we want to help,” she said, noting that Groupe PRO-B is active in the energy transition and defence sectors.

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

Fréchette reiterated the CAQ’s desire to ”increase Quebec’s autonomy and powers within Canada.”

As the Parti Québécois holds a convention in Saint-Hyacinthe, in Quebec’s Montérégie region, 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 office.

“In the current context, both in North America and internationally, it would be really imprudent, very irresponsible to embark on this process,” she said.

Fréchette also stressed the importance of Quebec’s regions, saying she will tour the province in the coming weeks.

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

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

The minister said she began to seriously consider running for the leadership in early January. She reported that she spoke with Legault’s chief of staff, Martin Koskinen, about a week before his resignation.

At that time, she told Koskinen that people were asking her what her intentions would be if Legault were to step down as premier.

Fréchette is the second candidate to enter the race, after Environment Minister Bernard Drainville, who announced Saturday he intends to run to succeed Legault.

She welcomed Drainville’s candidacy, describing him as “passionate” and “committed.”

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

Drainville also congratulated Fréchette in a message on social media.

“It promises to be some good discussions and good debates on the future of our party and of Quebec. I look forward to talking with her,” he wrote.

Under the rules of the leadership race unveiled Thursday, both candidates must temporarily step aside from their ministerial duties.

A former Parti Québécois member, Fréchette was first elected in 2022 under the CAQ banner in the Montérégie riding of Sanguinet.

She held the position of Minister of Immigration from October 2022 to September 2024. As part of her duties, she contributed to the integration of French language proficiency requirements into immigration programs.

Following the departure of Pierre Fitzgibbon, she assumed responsibility for the economy portfolios he previously held.

She notably led a major energy reform package adopted in June after the government invoked closure to limit debate.

Minister of Culture Mathieu Lacombe and Minister Responsible for Relations with First Nations and the Inuit Ian Lafrenière expressed their support for Fréchette in speeches just before her candidacy was announced.

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

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

To qualify, candidates must gather the signatures of 1,000 CAQ members from at least 75 ridings, including 15 MNAs and 100 members of the party’s youth wing. They must also make a non-refundable contribution of $30,000. Campaign spending is capped at $150,000.

Nominations close Feb. 21. The new CAQ leader — and Quebec’s next premier — will be chosen April 12.

— With information from Thomas Laberge

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Jan. 25, 2026.

Coralie Laplante, The Canadian Press