Christine Fréchette to run for CAQ leadership

Quebec economy minister Christine Fréchette has announced she will run for the Coalition Avenir Québec leadership and will launch her campaign in Trois‑Rivières; the party will choose its leader at a convention on April 12, 2026.

Christine Fréchette, Quebec's minister of economy, innovation and energy, has declared she will run for the leadership of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ). She is scheduled to launch her campaign on Sunday in her hometown of Trois‑Rivières, with the report first emerging on 98.5 FM and later confirmed by Radio‑Canada. Fréchette was first elected as a CAQ MNA in 2022 and previously served as immigration minister before taking her current portfolio in 2024. Earlier in her career she served as chief of staff to Jean‑François Lisée in the Parti Québécois government of Pauline Marois. Known details: - Fréchette, 56, will formally open her campaign in Trois‑Rivières as reported by local outlets and confirmed by Radio‑Canada. - She has the public support of at least 11 MNAs, including cabinet ministers Kateri Champagne Jourdain, Mathieu Lacombe and Benoit Charette. - The CAQ leadership race officially began recently and will conclude with a leadership vote at a convention on April 12, 2026. - The winner of the contest will serve as Quebec’s premier until the next provincial election, scheduled for this fall. - Premier François Legault resigned earlier this month but plans to remain in office until a replacement is found. - Party rules require candidates to secure the backing of 1,000 members across at least 75 ridings (including support from 15 MNAs and 100 youth commission members), to pay a non‑refundable $30,000 deposit, and to observe a campaign spending cap of $150,000; ministers who run must step down from cabinet to avoid conflicts of interest. Summary: The leadership contest will determine the next CAQ leader and who serves as Quebec’s premier until the scheduled provincial election in the fall. Fréchette is launching a campaign in Trois‑Rivières and the party will hold its decisive leadership vote at the convention on April 12, 2026.