In the CAQ ranks, several deputies are impatient, but François Legault could wait until the end of spring to carry out his highly anticipated ministerial reshuffle.
While Justin Trudeau announced his game of musical chairs in the midst of chaos, many ambitious CAQ elected officials probably sighed, telling themselves that they would have to wait for more months.
Until recently, many were convinced that François Legault would reshuffle his cards at the very beginning of the year, to revive his government, which was falling in the polls.
In politics, things change quickly, however.
The election of Donald Trump, the threat of customs tariffs, the collapse of the Trudeau government at this critical moment, all this allows François Legault to bet on stability.
He clearly showed his hand on the last day of the parliamentary session, saying that after COVID-19, he now had to manage Donald Trump's return to power.
There is a clear exaggeration in the comparison, but we feel that the CAQ leader wants to once again portray the good father of the family ready to do anything to protect Quebecers against danger.
He could have redistributed ministerial functions early in January, so that the lucky ones elected were ready for the start of the parliamentary term.
In the pharmacies, members of the government argued on the other hand that Mr. Legault could wait to obtain a clearer portrait of the number of current ministers, besides Christian Dubé, who will not be part of the 2026 election.
It is always easier to kill a soldier knowing that he will not be in the next electoral fight.
Sources indicate that the PM will be able to more easily ask for confirmations at the dawn of summer, just over a year before the campaign.
Already the rumors
The rumor machine nevertheless began to spin.
Rumor has it that François Legault will resplit the Economy and Energy, while uncertainty weighs down the ambitions of the precious but hazardous battery sector, and an important bill on the energy future must be adopted.
Christine Fréchette, draped in the title of superminister following Pierre Fitzgibbon, has great abilities, but she will have her hands full.
We also guess that Eric Girard would be more cautious and less flexible than his boss with regard to the financial framework to be respected in times of rigor.
If potential disagreements turn into a divide, François Legault could be tempted to move his finances.
We remember that he asked Fitz to leave, rather than hear him continue to plead for Hydro rate increases at all costs.
Ironically, even if everyone sees her in the running to become leader when François Legault leaves politics, Dame Rumor sent Geneviève Guilbault to the Port of Quebec this week, to succeed the CEO, Mario Girard.
The main interested party, however, indicated that this is not the case.
Less heat
With attention focused on Justin Trudeau at the end of the year, the CAQ leader has a little more time to calm things down and try to regain some momentum.
He will have to take advantage of it, because the spotlight will then return to him.
Unless, ultimately, a hasty federal election still takes up a lot of space.
The CAQ deputies who dream of becoming ministers and who count the days will perhaps count the months…
IN BULK
Genevieve and pick-up!
This is probably no coincidence. The same day she announced the agreement for the construction of the Quebec tramway, an unpopular project in the National Capital, Minister Geneviève Guilbault praised the pick-up to distribute food aid, in a publication on Instagram!
Nicolas Lachance
The PQ will court Terrebonne
On the offensive, PSPP chose to hold the back-to-school caucus of its deputies in Terrebonne, before the start of the parliamentary term in January. The leader has his eyes on the future by-election. Leaving from Matane and the Islands, MPs Pascal Bérubé and Joël Arseneau will have their eyes on their… odometer!
Photo Stevens LeBlanc
