Dr. Luc Boileau, who has served as Quebec’s public health director since 2022, will be stepping down from his position. Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh is set to take over his role, assuming the title of assistant deputy minister at the Ministry of Health and Social Services starting on September 29.
Dr. Quach-Thanh, a prominent figure in the media, is recognized for her expertise as a microbiologist-infectiologist at CHU Sainte-Justine. Her frequent appearances at press conferences and interviews during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis have established her as a trusted voice in the field.
In addition to her new role, Dr. Quach-Thanh holds positions as a full professor in the Department of Microbiology, Infectiology, and Immunology as well as the Department of Pediatrics at l’Université de Montréal.
Dr. Boileau’s resignation follows a recent incident where he engaged in a verbal altercation with a reckless electric scooter rider in Montreal, which was captured on video and widely circulated on social media. He publicly apologized for his inappropriate remarks in response to the incident.
Initially appointed as interim public health director in January 2022 following the departure of Dr. Horacio Arruda, Dr. Boileau officially assumed the position in June of the same year, with a typical term length of four years. Health Minister Christian Dubé had commended Dr. Boileau’s expertise, experience, and leadership throughout the challenging phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.
