After two difficult starts to the new parliamentary term, François Legault's government has tried to regain control of the political and media agenda in recent weeks. Some initiatives have been successful, others less so. Want to find out more? Click here!
Northvolt's future continues to darken
In recent weeks, the Legault government has been put on the defensive by EV battery manufacturer Northvolt's severe financial difficulties: a bankruptcy filing by one of its units, abolition of 1,600 jobs, creditor concerns, order cancellations, and curbs on company spending. For the moment the Swedish company maintains that the construction of a mega-battery factory in Montérégie -- the flagship project of the CAQ government battery sector in which the government has invested heavily -- is not in question. Nevertheless, more and more voices are calling for Québec to pull its marbles out of the project before it's too late.
Legault calls on the Bloc to bring down the Trudeau government
In an outburst that left many observers stunned, François Legault attacked Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet head-on for his refusal to support a non-confidence motion that would have brought down the Trudeau government and triggered a federal election. Arguing the need for an "economic government" in Ottawa, and criticizing Justin Trudeau for his inaction on immigration, the Premier was instead branded "Pierre Poilievre's super-volunteer" by Québec Solidaire.
Liberal Marwah Rizqy retires from politics
A rising star in the Québec Liberal Party, Saint-Laurent MNA Marwah Rizqy has announced that she will not be standing for re-election in October 2026. Rizqy was once tipped to become the party's next leader, and is recognized by supporters and opponents alike as a pugnacious parliamentarian. Ms. Rizqy, who recently gave birth to a second child, told reporters that she was unable to reconcile her reality as a mother with her political obligations. Not wanting to be a "part-time mother," the MNA has decided to give up politics for the next fifteen years.
Two-thirds of Quebecers dissatisfied with François Legault
While a poll taken on the eve of the start of the new parliamentary term seemed to show that the CAQ had recovered some favour with the Québec electorate, a new poll has poured cold water on Caquiste troops. Indeed, two out of three Québecers now say they are dissatisfied with François Legault's work, a score even worse than Justin Trudeau’s. Given that the CAQ's image rests above all on that of its leader, the party's strategists will certainly have to rack their brains to reverse this trend quickly.
Legault concerned about MNAs’ morale
After the shock departures of Pierre Fitzgibbon and Youri Chassin, the Premier opened up about one of his current concerns: keeping his contingent of 86 MNAs in the National Assembly happy. One of the Premier's resolutions for the coming year is to spend more time with his MNAs. It remains to be seen whether this will be enough, against a backdrop where the CAQ remains far behind in the polls, and about to launch a period of budgetary restraint that heralds difficult choices and, inevitably, disappointments.
Bottle deposit : a reform that has yet to work
With just a few months to go before the official start of the second phase of bottle deposit reform, the red lights are becoming more visible and more numerous. For the first time, the organization responsible has acknowledged that it will miss its target of opening 200 return locations by March 1, 2025. By this date, the deposit should also have been extended to include not just cans, but a wide range of other ready-to-drink containers, from wine bottles to plastic water bottles, and even milk cartons. While Environment Minister Benoit Charette has proposed certain regulatory changes, he has refused, for the time being, to postpone the implementation of the second phase of the deposit scheme, despite increasingly insistent calls to do so.
A busy new Parliamentary session for the Minister of Justice
Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette has been busy in recent weeks. He has tabled not one, but two new bills: one to regulate price display practices in grocery stores and tipping options in restaurants, and to combat abusive credit practices; and the other to better combat the scourge of sharing intimate images without consent. His colleague, the Minister of Labour, has tabled a bill to improve practices in the construction industry.
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