Geneviève Guilbault to Step Down at End of Term

Geneviève Guilbault, Quebec’s current Minister of Municipal Affairs and a long-time pillar of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), has announced she will leave politics at the conclusion of her current mandate.

Guilbault made the announcement on Sunday in her riding of Louis-Hébert, accompanied by her two children, ages six and eight. By stepping down, she is officially withdrawing from the race to succeed Premier François Legault.

A Decision Rooted in Family

While the political landscape in Quebec is currently shifting with Premier Legault’s own upcoming departure, Guilbault emphasized that her choice was personal, made "a long time ago," and unrelated to polling or the Premier's recent announcements.

Her primary motivation is to prioritize her role as a mother. Having entered politics while pregnant in 2017 and giving birth to her second child while in office, she expressed a desire to stop missing out on their formative years.

“I have often said that I am not afraid of much in life, but I am afraid of regret. For me, it is clear that if I continue in politics for another four years, I risk regretting having missed out on my children’s childhood.”

— Geneviève Guilbault

Political Context and Controversy

Despite her stated focus on family, Guilbault’s departure comes amidst political turbulence.

• Leadership Race: She is stepping aside as a contender for the CAQ leadership.

• The Gallant Commission: Her tenure as Transport Minister faced scrutiny following the "SAAQclic" digital transition issues. Reports indicate she may be cited for misconduct in Commissioner Denis Gallant’s final report, expected in mid-February.

A "Pivotal" Career

Guilbault has been a central figure in the CAQ government for eight years. Her resume includes:

• Key Roles: Minister of Transport, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Public Security, and Deputy Premier (2022–2025).

• Impact: Premier François Legault publicly thanked her on X (formerly Twitter), calling her 2017 byelection victory a "pivotal moment" for the party and praising her work on women's safety.

Future Outlook

Guilbault noted that while she is prioritizing her parents and children now, she is not "closing the door on politics forever." She expressed pride in her contributions, stating she entered politics to change Quebec for the better rather than "complaining endlessly in [her] living room."