Following in the footsteps of MNAs Shirley Dorismond and Mario Asselin, it is now the turn of Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility Jonatan Julien to invite Simon Jolin-Barette to enter the race to succeed François Legault as leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ).
In a message posted Saturday on Platform X, Julien, who is also the member of the National Assembly for Charlebourg, in the Capitale-Nationale region, announced that he would support the current Minister of Justice if he decides to run for the leadership.
“He is a competent and exceptional leader in the human sense. He is a hard worker with a clear vision who puts Quebec’s interests before his own,” wrote Julien.
The day before, Dorismond and Asselin had said they wanted him to enter the race.
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While the former refused to guarantee her support, the latter took the plunge by stating that Jolin-Barette was “the best candidate.”
“I felt it was important to get behind him given that he represents the new generation, given what he has done as a parliamentarian, given the many bills he has introduced as a parliamentarian. That has always impressed me,” he told The Canadian Press.
Mon ami @SJB_CAQ est en réflexion. S’il décide de se lancer, il aura mon appui. C’est un leader compétent et exceptionnel au sens humain. Un travailleur acharné avec une vision claire, qui priorise les intérêts du Québec avant les siens. #jappuiesimon
Jolin-Barette remains on the sidelines for now. Shortly after his colleagues left on Friday, he posted a message on social media in which he did not clearly state his intentions, but praised his colleagues.
“The CAQ caucus is full of talented members, determined colleagues who are well established in their communities and regions. I am honored to sit alongside you in the National Assembly and to defend a strong and ambitious vision for Quebec. There are ten months left in the mandate, and Quebecers want a government that will work tirelessly to improve things in all regions of Quebec. I am convinced that we have all the talent and determination to achieve this.”
On Thursday, Minister of Economy, Innovation, and Energy Christine Fréchette said she would begin considering the matter after receiving the support of Minister Gilles Bélanger.
For his part, Finance Minister Eric Girard said he was “interested” in the leadership, but that it was too early to say whether he would take the plunge. He wants to know the rules first.
Ministers Jean-François Simard, Bernard Drainville, and Ian Lafrenière have not closed the door. Former Minister of Public Security François Bonnardel has also not ruled out running.
Geneviève Guilbault and Sonia LeBel may also be tempted to run.
The rules of the race are to be announced shortly. We already know that ministers who wish to stand as candidates will have to resign from their posts in the interests of fairness.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
