François Legault attended his final sitting on the legislature as Quebec premier on Thursday as he steps down as head of the province and chief of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) social gathering, marking the tip of a political period after greater than seven years on the helm.
His resignation follows two consecutive majority victories and comes after guiding the province by way of important moments, together with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault shakes fingers whereas workers members line up after his farewell speech on the legislature in Quebec Metropolis, Thursday, April 2, 2026.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
The 68-year-old is just not leaving politics solely and plans to stay a member of the Nationwide Meeting till the provincial election scheduled for October.
Legault spent his closing day as social gathering chief on the Nationwide Meeting, strolling its corridors one final time as premier.
In his farewell speech, he mirrored on his time in workplace, pointing to each accomplishments and challenges since first bringing the CAQ to energy in 2018.
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Legault has been identified for his excessive approval scores all through the pandemic and for butting heads with the federal Liberals over immigration and his social gathering’s controversial secularism legislation.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault appears to be like up towards the stands as he attends his final query interval as Premier on the legislature in Quebec Metropolis, Thursday, April 2, 2026.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
“We’ve got the appropriate to hope that Quebec stays Quebec,” he stated in French.
He closed with a message of hope for the longer term.
“(I) consider within the subsequent era, consider sooner or later, consider in humanity, and consider in us. Thanks everybody,” he stated.
A number of cupboard ministers appeared emotional as they paid tribute, whereas opposition members additionally expressed respect. In a uncommon second, politicians crossed the ground to shake his hand.
“I believe at the moment is only a time to thank him for his public service,” stated Liberal MNA André Fortin.
Earlier than getting into politics, Legault based Air Transat. He was first elected in 1998 with the Parti Québécois and remained with the social gathering till leaving politics in 2009.
He later returned to discovered the CAQ in 2011, main it to victory in 2018 and once more in 2022.
In recent times, nonetheless, his authorities confronted mounting challenges, with declining reputation and the social gathering falling to final place in the newest polls.
“I believe that he misplaced contact with the inhabitants of Quebec,” stated political analyst Daniel Béland.
The nationwide meeting is on recess subsequent week and the Coalition Avenir Québec is scheduled to decide on a brand new chief on April 12.
Both Christine Fréchette or Bernard Drainville will likely be sworn in as the brand new premier shortly after the weekend’s management conference.
–With information type The Canadian Press
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