On Feb 23rd, Quebec Premier François Legault announced a mini cabinet shuffle.
Lucie Lecours becomes the Junior Minister of the Economy
Elected in 2018, Lecours is a graduate of McGill University. For more than twelve years, she held the journalist chair for TC Médias, then successively was editor-in-chief, news director, sales director, editor, and general manager. She was also a shareholder and vice-president of a digital signage company. Prior to her election to the National Assembly, she held the position of Managing Director of Chambre de commerce et d’industrie Les Moulins.. She also served on the East Montreal Chamber of Commerce and was a director on the Société de développement culturel de Terrebonne.
Environment Minister Benoit Charette add the new role of Minister Responsible for Combating Racism to his cabinet portfolios.
While Quebec continues to be firm in their stance that systemic racism does not exist, Premier Legault named Benoit Charette as the province’s first-ever Minister Responsible for Combatting Racism. When questioned by journalists as to whether it was appropriate for a white politician to be responsible for the anti-racism portfolio, Charette, whose wife is of Haitian origin, said “… the colour of skin should not be an argument to disqualify someone”. His new position was created following a recommendation from the province’s anti-racism committee formed by the government last spring and which issued its report in December 2020. In 2019, the Legault government brought Bill 21 in to law which bans public servants from wearing religious symbols at work. The bill was decried by many as targeting religious minorities and has been criticized as contributing to racism in the province.
Minister of Energy Jonatan Julien added the role of Minister Responsible for the Gaspé-Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
Elected in the October 2018 provincial election, Julien was subsequently named Minister National Resources. His expanded role in cabinet is related to the government’s intention to continue growing the wind sector in the Gaspésie region.
