Francois Legault to shuffle cabinet as two ministers announce run for CAQ leadership

  • Canadian Press

Labour Minister Jean Boulet tables a bill in the red room of the national assembly, Dec. 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

QUEBEC -- Quebec Premier Francois Legault will shuffle his cabinet later today as two ministers step aside to run in the Coalition Avenir Quebec leadership race.

The news was confirmed to The Canadian Press by sources in the party who were not authorized to speak publicly.

Labour Minister Jean Boulet will take on additional responsibilities for the economy, while Benoit Charette will take over the environment portfolio, adding onto his existing responsibilities for infrastructure.

These changes would fill the positions vacated by Christine Frechette and Bernard Drainville, who are both running to replace Legault.

Legault said on Jan. 14 he would resign as premier and CAQ leader once a replacement is chosen.

The rules of the leadership race require cabinet ministers to temporarily relinquish their portfolios to run.

The party says it will elect a new leader on April 12.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2026.