The Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration, Christine Fréchette, should obtain the status of “superminister” on Thursday within the government of François Legault, who intends to entrust her with the ministries of Economy and Energy.
His colleague Jean-François Roberge, notably responsible for Canadian Relations and Democratic Institutions, should inherit the Immigration portfolio.
This ministerial “adjustment” is intended to fill the positions left vacant by the departure of Pierre Fitzgibbon, who said he now lacked motivation for these functions.
The information, first published by The Quebec Journalare not denied by government sources. The swearing-in of the two ministers is to take place on Thursday afternoon at the National Assembly. The names of Mr.me Mr. Fréchette and Mr. Roberge have been circulating in the Coalition avenir Québec caucus in Rimouski since the announcement of Mr. Fitzgibbon’s resignation.
Before his MPs, Mr. Legault spoke about his energy ambitions: he said in particular that he wanted to “double” the wind capacity of the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie regions. He also reiterated his desire to convince Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to lower immigration thresholds. “We want to save French, that’s important. We are clearly a nationalist party and it’s important to win this battle again for Quebecers,” he declared.
Christine Fréchette has degrees in administration and international relations. She was president and CEO of the Eastern Montreal Chamber of Commerce. She is often described as a pugnacious but discreet woman, capable of obtaining the results she seeks.
Mr. Roberge, a former Minister of Education, is part of the nationalist fringe within the Coalition avenir Québec. In his current role, he notably negotiated an agreement on official languages with Ottawa.
More details will follow.