Former CAQ minister and leadership candidate Bernard Drainville received the backing of three of his former cabinet colleagues Monday, a day before voting begins to elect François Legault’s successor.
Quebec’s Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette, Minister of Social Services Sonia Bélanger and Transport Minister Jonatan Julien announced they are endorsing Drainville at a press conference.
The backing by high-profile names comes as the campaign enters its last week before the party is set to announce the new leader on April 12.
Drainville’s rival Christine Fréchette has consistently led in the polls and has also received the support of many ministers from Legault’s cabinet, Finance Minister Éric Girard and Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau.
In announcing his endorsement, Jolin-Barrette said, “With Bernard Drainville, we will have a leader who will not compromise on the Third Way and who embodies the CAQ’s core values regarding nationalism, the economy, secularism, and the French language.”
During the campaign, Drainville has often presented himself as the candidate best suited to defend Quebec’s identity. In one of the two debates, he accused Fréchette of flip-flopping on immigration and promised to have stricter immigration policies.
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Bélanger said the former environment minister was the right choice for Quebec due to his convictions and style.
“He understands what young people and families are going through, what people in the regions are going through, and he has the courage to tell it like it really is,” Bélanger said.
Transport Minister Julien echoed Bélanger in his endorsement of Drainville for CAQ’s leadership said he would be able to take on other party leaders ahead of the provincial elections.
“Bernard Drainville brings experience, strong convictions, and a deep understanding of the regions. He has led three ministries. He has held his own in this race from the start—facing the press, weathering attacks, and holding his own in debates,” Julien said.
Drainville, in a statement announcing the endorsement said, “We have a choice: either continue in the same direction or rediscover the CAQ’s true spirit.”
Drainville has also criticized Fréchette’s track record as Quebec’s minister of economy calling it as “interventionist,” attempting to tie her record to the unpopular outgoing premier’s economic agenda. Legault defended his interventionist policy at an event last week, but has not commented on the leadership candidates.
The new leader will be announced on April 12 at a party event in Drummondville.
