Following the sudden departure of one of his top ministers, Premier François Legault has adjusted his cabinet, officially appointing Christine Fréchette as the province’s new minister for both the economy and energy.
Fréchette was officially sworn in Thursday afternoon, taking over the files previously held by Pierre Fitzgibbon, who announced Wednesday that he had lost the motivation for politics and was quitting his cabinet position.
During Fitzgibbon’s six-year run in cabinet he was no stranger to controversy, having been the subject of six ethics investigations. But he was also one of Legault’s most trusted ministers, often referred to as a Coalition Avenir Québec government “super minister” since he handled both the economy and energy portfolios.
Fréchette was, until now, the province’s immigration minister.
That role now goes to Jean-François Roberge, who will take on the immigration file in addition to his current role as the French language minister.
With her new role, Fréchette inherits Bill 69, a large piece of legislation that would, according to the government, help Quebec produce more green energy if it’s passed.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Legault, flanked by Fréchette and Roberge, described his new economy and energy minister as a brilliant woman who is experienced in economic matters.
“I will give it my all to help Quebec progress in terms of economic development and energy transition,” Fréchette said.
She also takes over as the province’s minister responsible for the Montreal region. Fréchette represents the Sanguinet riding on Montreal’s South Shore that includes the municipalities of Saint-Constant, Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Rémi.
She was previously president and general manager of the Chambre de commerce de l’Est de Montréal. She was first elected in October 2022.
In addition to his cabinet roles, Fitzgibbon was the MNA for the riding of Terrebonne, just north of Montreal.
On Thursday afternoon, Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon was in that riding, officially launching the party’s campaign for the vacant seat.
By provincial law, a byelection must be called no more than six months after a seat is vacated.