Premier François Legault is looking to inject new energy into his government by rearranging his cabinet, but many Quebecers are skeptical about the potential impact of this shuffle.
A recent survey conducted by Léger for Quebecor Media revealed that only 23% of Quebecers believe that Legault’s proposed cabinet reshuffle will bring fresh momentum to the CAQ government. In contrast, a significant 58% of respondents expressed doubts about the effectiveness of this move in revitalizing the government.
As Legault gears up for the expected cabinet reshuffle in the coming weeks, he has already started consultations with ministers. Following his party’s recent setback in the Arthabaska byelection, the premier has emphasized his intent to display humility and listen to the concerns of Quebecers.
The survey indicated specific preferences among Quebecers for certain ministers to change portfolios. The majority expressed a desire for Geneviève Guilbault and Bernard Drainville to switch roles. While over half of the respondents favored Guilbault’s departure from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, a smaller proportion wished for her to remain in that position. Similarly, a significant portion wanted Drainville to step down from the Ministry of Education.
On the other hand, there was a general sentiment of support for ministers like Christian Dubé in health, Sonia Lebel at the treasury board, and Simon Jolin-Barrette in justice to retain their current positions.
Overall, dissatisfaction with the Legault government’s performance has been on the rise, reaching 67%. A substantial 49% of respondents expressed a desire for Legault to step down as the leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec.
Despite the challenges, Legault remains determined to compete in the 2026 election. Meanwhile, the latest voting intentions show the Parti Québécois leading with 35% support, followed by the Liberal Party at 26%. The Coalition Avenir Québec and the Conservative Party maintained their standings, while Québec solidaire held steady at 9% support.
The survey, conducted online from August 15 to 18 with 977 participants, demonstrates the varying opinions and preferences of Quebecers regarding the government’s future direction.
Keyphrase: Quebec government reshuffle
