François Legault unveiled Thursday a council of ministers marked by a clever mix of continuity and novelty, at the end of an operation which added Hydro-Québec to the economic arsenal of Pierre Fitzgibbon.
Of the 30 ministers sworn in at the Salon Rouge, 20 were part of the last government. Of this number, no less than 13 have been maintained in the main function they exercised, with a few adjustments. A total of 10 deputies elected for the first time on October 3 obtained direct access to the holy of holies.
In a speech following the ceremony, Premier Legault highlighted his team and recalled that his campaign slogan was “Let’s continue”.
“We have a team that is really capable of changing Quebec. I will make something clear: it was marked “Let’s continue” during the campaign. It’s a bit like being a Progressive Conservative. It’s: let’s continue to change Quebec,” he declared, provoking the applause of his audience made up of his deputies, employees and relatives of the ministers with him.
At the head of a caucus that has grown from 75 to 89 deputies, Mr. Legault has shown that he is well aware that his choices expose him to dissatisfaction in his ranks. He said that his 30 ministers will have to work closely with the other elected CAQists.
“I see all the deputies who are there,” he said. It’s a heartbreaking human exercise, especially when you see the quality of the 90 MPs we have. »
Tenors including Sonia LeBel, at the Treasury Board, Simon Jolin-Barrette, at Justice, Benoit Charette, at the Environment have retained their positions. Unsurprisingly, Éric Girard remains Minister of Finance. Mr. Legault had already repeated during the campaign that Christian Dubé would continue as Minister of Health.
The parliamentary officers remain unchanged. Mr. Jolin-Barrette remains House Leader. Éric Lefebvre continues as Chief Whip and Mario Laframboise continues as Caucus Chair.
Among the newcomers, former PQ minister Bernard Drainville inherits Education. His colleague Martine Biron will be in charge of International Relations and La Francophonie. Elected on the North Shore, Kateri Champagne-Jourdain will be Minister of Employment and responsible for her region.
Christine Fréchette, who was Jean-François Lisée’s deputy chief of staff in the last PQ government, has been named Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration.
Fitzgibbon and hydropower
Strong man of Mr. Legault on the economic front during the last mandate, Pierre Fitzgibbon received Thursday the Energy portfolio, including Hydro-Québec, as well as Regional Economic Development and responsibility for Montreal and its region.
This perspective had already leaked a few days ago after the president and CEO of Hydro-Québec, Sophie Brochu, expressed her concerns for the maintenance of the independence of the state-owned company in the face of projects for the use of low-cost hydroelectricity to stimulate economic development.
Thursday, Mr. Legault gave the indication that Mr. Fitzgibbon will not be left to himself on issues where economic development and energy transition intersect.
A committee chaired by Mr. Legault will bring together the Minister of the Economy and his colleagues in Finance, the Environment and Native Relations, as well as Ms. Brochu. The head of government explained that he had also spoken with Mr.me Brochu before announcing its creation.
“We share the same goal,” he said. Ensure that Hydro-Québec evolves in an orderly fashion for the benefit of all Quebecers, including of course future generations. »
In a press briefing that followed, Mr. Fitzgibbon reacted to Mr.me Brochu, who had warned against the temptation to transform Hydro-Quebec into a “one-dollar electricity store in the world”.
“We have to be careful,” said the minister. Personally, I find it a bit peculiar to think that companies would just think of having electricity at a penny. It’s not that. Businesses ultimately want green products. »
More details will follow