Quebec's Premier to Reorganize Cabinet Next Week, Postpones Commencement of Legislative Session

Quebec Premier Announces Cabinet Shuffle Amidst Political Turmoil

Quebec Premier Francois Legault has announced a cabinet shuffle next week, in response to poor polling numbers and a scandal involving cost overruns at Quebec's auto insurance board. The move comes as the provincial legislature is set to be prorogued until the end of September.

The inquiry into the scandal has provided a steady stream of embarrassing headlines and political fodder for the opposition. The opposition parties have denounced the prorogation, accusing Legault of avoiding scrutiny in the legislature. The delay in the assembly's resumption will give the new ministers time to learn their files and build their teams.

Several of Legault's ministers have testified at the public inquiry, including Andrei Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs. Laforest has announced his departure from the government to run for mayor of Saguenay in the municipal elections scheduled for November. His departure will force Legault to call another byelection within six months.

The CAQ government, led by Legault, is deeply unpopular and at risk of a devastating defeat in next year's election. According to poll aggregator Qc125.com, if the vote were held today, the governing party would win between zero and three of the province's 125 seats, down from 86 currently.

The opposition has accused Legault and his cabinet of misleading Quebecers. Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime stated that Legault's decision has paralyzed the government. Duhaime also said that this decision shows contempt for Quebec democracy. Pascal Bérubé, one of the PQ's six members of the legislature, accused Legault of being irresponsible for postponing the assembly's resumption.

In an effort to regain momentum, Legault has vowed to lead his party into the next election. The cabinet shuffle is intended to make room for new ideas to advance the government's priorities. Secularism Minister Jean-François Roberge will table new legislation this fall to strengthen secularism rules, including by banning prayer in public places.

Meanwhile, a female politician has announced her intention to run for mayor of Saguenay in the November municipal elections. It remains to be seen whether this change will be enough to turn the tide for the CAQ government.