Quebec super minister Pierre Fitzgibbon resigns
CTV
There has been a major shock in Quebec politics: Pierre Fitzgibbon, the super-minister of the economy, is stepping down.
Businessman-turned-politician Pierre Fitzgibbon, economy minister and a central figure in the right-leaning Coalition Avenir Quebec government, is stepping down.
The news upended Quebec politics on Tuesday, days ahead of the start to the fall legislative session. Fitzgibbon is a member of the inner circle of Premier Francois Legault, who has entrusted him with major responsibilities to manage the province's economy and energy sector.
Rumours had circulated for some time that Fitzgibbon, 69, wouldn't finish his mandate, with the next provincial election scheduled for October 2026. But his departure was not expected so soon.
A government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly, confirmed the news to The Canadian Press after it was first reported by La Presse.
Legault, who is gathering with his caucus in Rimouski, Que., this week to prepare for the fall legislative session, which begins next Tuesday, refused to confirm the news Tuesday afternoon. Fitzgibbon, he said, would address the caucus that evening and speak to reporters on Wednesday.
Marc Tanguay, interim leader of the Opposition Liberals, told reporters Fitzgibbon's departure is a "heavy blow" for the CAQ, and leaves the government "without a captain" on issues of energy and the economy.
"With this departure, the CAQ is no longer the party of the economy," said Liberal MNA Marwah Rizqy.
