MontrealFrançois Bonnardel had no intention of resigning, unlike ministers André Lamontagne and Suzanne Roy who will step down Wednesday.François Bonnardel had no intention of resigning, unlike 2 other ministers who will step down WednesdayHénia Ould-Hammou · CBC News · Posted: Sep 08, 2025 1:46 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoQuebec’s Public Security Minister Francois Bonnardel said Premier François Legault has informed him of his desire to “rejuvenate” his team. (Mathieu Belanger/The Canadian Press)Quebec’s Public Security Minister François Bonnardel says he will be removed from cabinet as part of Premier François Legault’s cabinet shuffle expected on Wednesday.In a post on X published on Tuesday, Bonnardel said that he had clearly stated his intention to run again in the 2026 election and that he was ready to continue serving Quebecers as a member of the cabinet. “In recent days, the premier informed me of his desire to rejuvenate his team. Obviously, I am extremely disappointed with how events have unfolded,” Bonnardel wrote. This announcement closely follows his testimony at the Gallant commission, which is looking into the SAAQ’s digital transition project. It was launched despite improper testing, infamously causing headaches for its users.Bonnardel served as transport minister from 2018 to 2022 — pivotal years for the project. He told the commission in August that he had been kept out of the loop regarding several details about the platform, including its actual cost.Legault said he had been unaware of any cost overrun issues until an auditor general report revealed that the project was $500 million over budget.Ministers resigning voluntarilyTwo ministers will also leave Legault’s cabinet on Wednesday as he makes changes to his team.André Lamontagne, minister in charge of agriculture, and Suzanne Roy, Quebec’s family minister, will step down to allow the premier to nominate new ministers in the upcoming cabinet shuffle.In a Facebook post on Monday morning, Roy said she informed Legault in early July of her decision to not seek another term in the 2026 provincial election so that she can “slowly transition into retirement.” “It is a privilege for me to represent you and an honour to have been your elected representative for nearly 30 years,” she wrote, adding that she made the decision to step down after much reflection.”I will remain in office until the October 2026 elections and you can be assured of my dedication until the end of the term.” André Lamontagne, minister of agriculture, fisheries and food, and Suzanne Roy, the province’s minister of family, are stepping down from their cabinet roles. (Radio-Canada composite image: Sylvain Roy Roussel/Ariane Emond)Lamontagne, in a post on X, said he was very proud of the work accomplished during his term.”I will always be the biggest fan of those who feed Quebec. I will continue to serve the citizens of Johnson with all my heart,” he wrote.Legault has made only one other major shuffle — in 2020.Lamontagne was elected in the riding of Johnson in the Centre-du-Québec region in 2014. He has held the position of minister of agriculture, fisheries and food for almost seven years now. And Roy was elected in 2022 in the riding of Verchères in the Montérégie region, holding the portfolio of minister of family. Legault working on a resetLast week was marked by other departures. Legault kicked Pierre Dufour, MNA for Abitibi-Est, out of caucus.Andrée Laforest, Quebec’s municipal affairs minister, who is responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, announced her resignation and her plans to enter the Saguenay mayoral race in the upcoming municipal election. During testimony at the Gallant commission, Quebec Premier François Legault uses his hands to describe the amount of spending of the province’s auto insurance board. (Ivanoh Demers/Radio-Canada)In a statement, the premier’s office said Legault was promising change and has been consulting with citizens, his MNAs and his cabinet on how to better serve the needs of Quebecers.That change will start this week with a cabinet shuffle, according to the office. Changes to his cabinet also come after Quebec Economy Minister Christine Fréchette confirmed that the government will stop investing in Northvolt Batteries North America after the province lost a $270-million investment. The new sitting at the National Assembly was set to begin on Sept. 16, but the premier’s office said it will be postponed until Sept. 30 to allow the shuffled ministers to get used to their new portfolios.ABOUT THE AUTHORHénia Ould-Hammou is a journalist with CBC Montreal. She previously completed an internship with La Presse after graduating from McGill University with a double major in political science and psychology. Hénia is interested in international and societal issues, community stories, soccer, politics and rap. Send her an email at henia.ould-hammou@cbc.ca With files from Cathy Senay, Holly Cabrera and Radio-Canada
Legault to remove Quebec’s public security minister from cabinet
