Three prominent members of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) announced this week they will not run for re-election in the upcoming October vote [1].
These departures signal a significant shift within the governing party's caucus as it approaches the next election. The loss of two ministers and a long-serving member of the National Assembly creates a vacuum of leadership and experienced personnel during a critical transition period.
Jean Boulet announced June 18, 2026, that he will leave politics at the end of his current mandate [2]. His exit was met with a blunt response from the president of the CSN, who said, "Disons qu'on n'a pas pleuré" [2].
Following Boulet, Minister Mathieu Lacombe announced his departure Wednesday, June 19, 2026 [1]. This second high-profile exit within 24 hours intensified scrutiny regarding the stability of the CAQ's current lineup.
MNA Jonatan Julien also confirmed in mid-June 2026 that he is ending his political journey [3]. Julien has served as a member of the CAQ for more than 10 years [3]. Reflecting on the timing of these exits, Julien said, "C'est un peu comme si une digue venait de céder, vous ne trouvez pas?" [3].
The wave of resignations suggests a broader trend of attrition within the party. While the CAQ remains the governing force in Quebec, the simultaneous exit of these figures removes key architects of recent policy initiatives from the legislative arena.
“"C'est un peu comme si une digue venait de céder, vous ne trouvez pas?"”
The departure of Jean Boulet, Mathieu Lacombe, and Jonatan Julien represents a loss of institutional memory and executive experience for the CAQ. By exiting just before the October election, these figures avoid the risk of defeat but leave the party to find new candidates to defend their seats. This 'bursting dam' effect, as described by Julien, may indicate internal fatigue or a strategic realignment within the party leadership ahead of the vote.
