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Simon Jolin-Barrette bows out of CAQ leadership race; Christine Frechette to run

  • The Canadian Press

  • Canadian Press

  • January 23, 2026

Quebec Government House Leader and Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette tables a bill during question period at the legislature in Quebec City, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

QUEBEC -- Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette says he won't seek the Coalition Avenir Quebec leadership to replace Francois Legault.

Jolin-Barrette says he decided not to enter the race for family and professional reasons.

Jolin-Barrette, first elected in 2014, had received the support of several CAQ caucus members since Legault's announcement.

Facing dismal polling, Legault said last week he would step down as party leader and premier after a successor is named at a leadership convention on April 12.

Meanwhile, Economy Minister Christine Frechette has scheduled an event on Sunday in Trois-Rivieres, Que., where she is expected to announce she is officially entering the race.

A source close to Frechette who was not authorized to speak publicly confirmed the news to .

This report by was first published Jan. 23, 2026.