Quebec Economy Minister Christine Fréchette received a significant boost in her campaign for the leadership of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) on Saturday, with the endorsement of France-Élaine Duranceau, a member of the CAQ caucus.
Duranceau’s support brings the total number of CAQ members backing Fréchette to 35, according to reports from Journal de Québec. Her rival, Bernard Drainville, currently has the support of 15 members.
Fréchette officially launched her leadership bid in January, outlining a vision for an inclusive Quebec with a strong economy. Speaking at a news conference in Trois-Rivières, she stated her readiness to become the province’s second female premier. She emphasized the importance of defending Quebec’s economy within Canada and protecting the French language, whereas also expressing a willingness to engage in dialogue with English-speaking Quebecers.
“The world is changing. It’s time Quebec takes up space, and don’t you think it’s time that a unifying woman be at the head of it?” Fréchette said during the launch of her campaign.
Fréchette formally registered her candidacy earlier this month, solidifying her participation in the CAQ leadership race. Her platform centers on building a more productive, sovereign, and prosperous economy for Quebec, as detailed in a statement released on March 16th. She has positioned herself as a proponent of a “third way” between federalism and sovereignty, seeking to balance Quebec’s autonomy with its place within Canada.
The CAQ leadership race was triggered by the impending departure of François Legault, who has not yet announced a specific date for his resignation. Fréchette’s campaign is focused on attracting support from across the CAQ caucus and presenting a vision for the future of the province.
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