MONTREAL — Two prominent members of the Quebec legislature have announced that they will not be seeking re-election in the upcoming provincial election scheduled for the fall. Caroline Proulx, a longtime cabinet minister from the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), shared her decision as she approaches her 60th birthday, indicating that she is ready to move on from her political career.
Proulx has served as the minister responsible for housing and the status of women, and has held various portfolios, including those of tourism and seniors, since her election in 2018. Her riding, Berthier, located north of Montreal, was previously held by the Parti Québécois (PQ) for a decade before her victory.
In addition to Proulx, Vincent Marissal, an Independent member of the legislature based in Montreal, has also confirmed that he will be leaving politics at the end of his term. Marissal gained attention last year when he departed from Québec solidaire, the leftist party that suspended him for engaging in discussions with its rival, the Parti Québécois. He won the Rosemont riding in 2018, which was previously held by Jean-François Lisée, a former PQ leader.
The next provincial election in Quebec is scheduled for October 5, 2026, and the departures of both Proulx and Marissal mark significant changes in the political landscape of the province. Their decisions not to run again will likely open opportunities for new candidates in their respective ridings and could potentially impact the dynamics of the election.
Proulx and Marissal’s announcements come at a crucial time as political parties prepare for the upcoming electoral battle. With both legislators having previously represented significant voices in the CAQ and the Independent sector, their exits are seen as pivotal moments in the lead-up to the election.
This evolving political context underscores the shifting allegiances and ideologies within Quebec’s political framework, particularly as the province faces various social and economic challenges. The outcomes of the upcoming elections are poised to create a lasting impact on the legislative agenda of Quebec moving forward.
