New CAQ cabinet to be announced next week
QUEBEC Premier-elect François Legault will announce the composition of his first cabinet Thursday, Oct. 18.
The Coalition Avenir Québec leader made the announcement Monday in a statement, putting an end to the mystery of when the new government will get down to work.
“We have experienced a historic election,” Legault said in the statement.
“For the first time in nearly 50 years, the MNAs who will be part of the cabinet do not come from the Liberal Party or the Parti Québécois.”
Legault, who leaves Quebec Wednesday to attend the summit of francophone nations in Armenia Oct. 11-12, had originally been rumoured to be aiming for Oct. 16 but then decided he needed more time.
Ottawa is also represented at the summit, by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Legault is flying to the summit on Trudeau’s plane, which means they will have their first face-to-face meeting in the air.
Oct. 18 leaves plenty of time for the Liberal regime and other losing MNAs to clean out their desks at the legislature.
The Liberal government will hold a farewell cabinet meeting this week, likely Thursday.
Premier Philippe Couillard announced last week that he’s stepping down in the wake of last week’s historic electoral loss for his party.
Technically, Couillard remains premier until the moment Legault is sworn in Oct. 18 along with his other ministers. The statement does not say when the legislature will be recalled, but that should happen before Christmas.
Legault’s cabinet is expected to be leaner than some recent ones, around 20 members, composed of an even number of men and women. He’s got plenty of material to work with. The CAQ won the Oct. 1 election with 74 seats, a majority.
While the new cabinet will be sworn in Oct. 18, the CAQ’s winning candidates will be sworn in as sitting MNAs Oct. 16.
“On Oct. 1, Quebecers voted in favour of change,” Legault said in the statement.
“They voted for a competent team. The cabinet I am about to announce will reflect parity and the quality and great value of persons who are in it.”
Legault repeats the CAQ intends to deliver on what it promised in the election. The three big priorities in the coming months will be the economy, health and education.