Quebec Transport Minister Benoit Charette not running in upcoming election

  • Canadian Press

Quebec Minister Responsible for Infrastructure Benoit Charrette responds to the Opposition during question period at the legislature in Quebec City, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques BoissinotThe Canadian Press

QUEBEC -- Quebec Transport Minister Benoit Charette is adding his name to the growing list of Quebec cabinet ministers who won't be running again in the fall provincial election.

Charette says he will be stepping back from political life at the end of his term for family reasons.

A Quebec election campaign is expected to begin by the end of the month.

More than 30 of the Coalition Avenir Quebec's legislature members have said they won't run again, including a number of cabinet ministers.

Charette says he delayed announcing his departure until the last minute to minimize the impact on his family, but that Premier Christine Frechette was aware.

He was first elected in the Deux-Montagnes riding north of Montreal in 2008 as a Parti Quebecois member before leaving to sit as an independent and later joining the Coalition Avenir Quebec.

He has held a number of cabinet positions including environment, anti-racism, infrastructure and transportation.

Charette says he plans to continue to work with Frechette and the party after the October election.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2026.