Quebec’s Environment Minister, Bernard Drainville, has thrown his hat into the ring to become the next premier of the province. In a video shared on social media over the weekend, Drainville emphasized the importance of staying true to the CAQ’s core principles, describing it as a right-of-center nationalism deeply rooted in regional values.
Joining him in the leadership race is Energy and Economy Minister Christine Fréchette, who is expected to kick off her campaign in Trois-Rivières on Sunday. The new leader of the CAQ will take over as Quebec’s premier until the upcoming fall election, following Premier François Legault’s recent resignation.
Both Drainville and Fréchette have garnered support from various members of the CAQ caucus, including younger members like Samuel Poulin and Karianne Bourassa, who endorsed Drainville last Wednesday. Additional backing came from Isabelle Lecours and Yannick Gagnon on Saturday.
In his campaign launch, Drainville appealed to the working class and residents of Quebec’s regions, emphasizing the party’s commitment to everyday people, small businesses, and the promotion of a strong Francophone nation.
Under the leadership race regulations, both Fréchette and Drainville will need to step down from their cabinet roles and forgo their ministerial salaries to prevent conflicts of interest. This is not the first time Drainville has vied for a party leadership position, as he previously contested the leadership of the Parti-Québécois after Pauline Marois’s departure.
Having served as a PQ MNA for Marie-Victorin since 2007, Drainville temporarily left politics in 2016 to pursue a career as a radio host on 98.5 FM. Returning to the political arena in 2022, he secured the Lévis seat and later became the education minister before transitioning to the environment portfolio in September.
The CAQ’s leadership race officially commenced on Thursday, with the leadership convention scheduled for April 12. Aspiring candidates have until February 21 to enter the race and must meet specific criteria, such as obtaining support from 1,000 party members across at least 75 ridings, including 15 MNAs and 100 members of the CAQ’s youth wing. Additionally, candidates must pay a $30,000 non-refundable deposit and adhere to a $150,000 campaign spending limit.
Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette, Natural Resources Minister Jean-François Simard, and Granby MNA and former public security minister François Bonnardel have all opted out of the CAQ leadership race after considering entering.
