‘No longer have the same enthusiasm’: Quebec cabinet minister on why he’s leaving office

Pierre Fitzgibbon says he is leaving office because he lost motivation to do the job — and that it was the premier who pushed him out the door months earlier than planned.

Quebec “superminister” Pierre Fitzgibbon says he is leaving office because he lost motivation to do the job — and that it was the premier who pushed him out the door months earlier than planned.

Fitzgibbon, who held the economy and energy portfolios, told reporters in Rimouski, Que., Wednesday that he’s quitting two years ahead of the provincial election — and right before hearings are to begin on his massive energy reform bill.

“When you feel that you no longer have the same enthusiasm despite the super interesting projects, well, you tell yourself, ‘maybe it’s time to leave and make room for others,’” Fitzgibbon told reporters.

He said he had planned to stay until December to help move his energy reform bill through the legislature but Premier François Legault wanted him to leave immediately so that he doesn’t become a distraction.

Standing next to Fitzgibbon at the Wednesday morning news conference, Legault said he wanted to avoid having to answer questions about the eventual departure of one of his most important ministers.

“It becomes difficult from a legitimacy standpoint when you announce that you’re eventually leaving. I wasn’t comfortable with that,” Legault said, as members of his Coalition Avenir Québec caucus gathered in the town to prepare for the fall session of the legislature, which begins Tuesday.

On the upcoming legislative agenda is Fitzgibbon’s energy reform bill, which makes sweeping changes to the way the province’s hydro utility operates and how electricity rates will be fixed, among other major changes.

Fitzgibbon — often called a “superminister” because of his power and influence over the economy — introduced the legislation in June. Now, he says he has started to feel “a certain decline” in his motivation.