Coalition Avenir Qu茅bec (CAQ) leadership candidates Christine Frechette and Bernard Drainville shake hands following a leadership debate in Laval, Que., Saturday, March 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
CAQ leadership candidate Christine Frechette gives remarks at the CAQ leadership convention in Drummondville, Que., on Sunday, April 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Coalition Avenir Qu茅bec (CAQ) leadership candidates Christine Frechette and Bernard Drainville shake hands following a leadership debate in Laval, Que., Saturday, March 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
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CAQ leadership candidate Christine Frechette gives remarks at the CAQ leadership convention in Drummondville, Que., on Sunday, April 12, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
DRUMMONDVILLE - Coalition Avenir Qu茅bec members have named Christine Fr茅chette as the new party leader.聽
She will be sworn in as Quebec premier.
"I am so happy and proud that you put your trust in me," she told party faithful at the CAQ convention.聽
"Today we're moving on to a new step. You voted for a new kind of leadership, a new generation."聽
Fr茅chette, a former PQ staffer, focused her leadership campaign on economic issues, including on reopening the debate around shale gas and hydraulic fracturing.
During her victory speech, she promised to be a sound leader with a more streamlined government.聽
Fr茅chette pointed to global conflicts and commercial tensions, saying she understands the strain on Quebec families.
"You deserve a government that will make your life easier," she said.聽
Some 15,800 members voted in the leadership race.
Fr茅chette and Bernard Drainvile were the only two to run after outgoing Quebec Premier Fran莽ois Legault stepped down in January.
Drainville, a former Parti Qu茅b茅cois minister, leaned on conservative ideas and positioned himself as the candidate best suited to defend Quebec's identity and to adopt a stricter immigration policy.
This report by 国产诱惑福利 was first published April 12, 2026.
