A look at some potential candidates for the Coalition Avenir Québec leadership

MONTREAL — After more than seven years in power, Quebec Premier François Legault announced on Jan. 15 that he would step down after the Coalition Avenir Québec chooses his replacement.

The upcoming leadership race is the first in the CAQ’s history, as Legault co-founded the party in 2011 and has served as its only leader.

The party officially launched its leadership race on Jan. 22 with strict rules to run: signatures from 1,000 party members from at least 75 ridings, including 15 legislature members and 100 members of the party’s youth wing. There is also a $30,000 non-refundable fee and $150,000 campaign spending cap.

Ministers who decide to run will have to relinquish their portfolios.

Economy Minister Christine Fréchette is expected to announce she’s running at a news conference Sunday in Trois-Rivières, Que. A source close to Fréchette who was not authorized to speak publicly confirmed the news to The Canadian Press.

A few names are circulating and garnering support from caucus and cabinet members. Other high-profile candidates have already bowed out, including Simon Jolin-Barrette, the current justice minister, in an announcement on Friday.

Here are some of those considered to be in the running:

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Christine Fréchette

Education: HEC Montréal, degree in business administration, specializing in economics and international trade; Université Laval, master’s degree in international relations.

Before politics: U.S. political analyst, political staffer, president of Chambre de Commerce de l’Est de Montréal.

Political record: Fréchette entered provincial politics with the CAQ, winning the riding of Sanguinet during the October 2022 provincial election. Considered a high-profile candidate, she was immediately named immigration and French-language minister by Legault. On Sept. 5, 2024, Fréchette was tapped to replace Pierre Fitzgibbon as economy, innovation and energy minister.

Quote: “The decision I’m currently making isn’t just a personal one; it’s also a collective process. I’m working through my thinking, and what’s helping me along the way is exchanging ideas with my colleagues. I’m taking the pulse of the situation, seeing how they see things. What’s their interpretation, what would they like to see put forward?” Fréchette told reporters ahead of a cabinet meeting in Quebec City on Jan. 21, saying she would announce a decision soon.

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Bernard Drainville

Education: University of Ottawa, bachelor of political science, communication; London School of Economics and Political Science, master in international relations.

Before politics: Journalist, political commentator, radio host.

Political record: A star candidate during the 2022 provincial election, Drainville won the Quebec City-area riding of Lévis, and served as education minister until September 2025, when he was moved to the environment portfolio. He used to be a member of the Parti Québécois, first elected in the March 26, 2007, provincial election and re-elected in 2008 and 2012, when PQ took power with a minority government. He became minister for democratic institutions and introduced the ill-fated charter of values, which aimed to prohibit public sector workers from wearing religious symbols. He was re-elected in 2014 in the official Opposition, but quit in June 2016 to return to radio.

Quote: “I think we need to rely on experience, and I think we need to unite Quebecers, not bicker, and work with the other provinces to address the threats. So, that’s what I’m thinking right now,” Drainville told reporters on Jan. 21, adding he has the green light from his family to run but is waiting to see the rules of the leadership race.

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Jean-François Simard

Education: Université du Québec à Montréal, bachelor in psychosociology of communication; Université du Québec à Rimouski, master in regional development; Université Laval, PhD in sociology.

Before politics: Social sciences professor at Université du Québec en Outaouais.

Political record: Simard was first elected to the legislature with the Parti Québécois in 1998 in the Quebec City-area riding of Montmorency, serving until 2003, when he was defeated by the Liberal candidate. He returned to provincial politics in 2018, winning the riding while running for the CAQ. He was re-elected in 2022 and in September 2025 he was named natural resources minister and minister for the Quebec City region during a major cabinet shuffle.

Quote: “The upcoming leadership race must be centred on ideas. I intend to contribute actively to it in one way or another. Whatever happens, the (Quebec City region) must continue to shine and remain fully involved in the major decisions to come,” Simard said Monday on social media.

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Several potential candidates have said they won’t seek the leadership:

Simon Jolin-Barrette, justice minister and CAQ house leader, announced on Jan. 23 that he would not enter the race. Other ministers and caucus members who have withdrawn from consideration include François Bonnardel, former cabinet minister; Ian Lafrenière, public security and Indigenous affairs minister; Eric Girard, finance minister; Sonia LeBel, education minister; Geneviève Guilbault, municipal affairs minister; and Christopher Skeete, international relations minister.

Olivier Primeau, a Quebec entrepreneur, announced on Jan. 16 he would not add his name to the list of potential successors to Legault, saying he has personal and entrepreneurial projects he wishes to see through.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 23, 2026.