(Quebec) Member of Parliament for Trois-Rivières, Minister of Labor, Minister for Mauricie, Nord-du-Québec and, since Thursday, Minister responsible for Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Jean Boulet takes over a new region in the Council of Ministers, while Mathieu Lacombe, who was in charge of the mining region, expressed the desire to have more time for his family and other concerns.
Published at 9:32 am. Updated at 10:51 am
“This is a request I have made to the Prime Minister. […] I really wanted to focus on my files [et] I also felt like I didn’t have the time needed to properly process the Abitibi files when we have three fantastic colleagues on site who want their files to move forward,” Mr Lacombe explained on Thursday upon his arrival at the Caucus of MPs from the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ).
During the formation of the Council of Ministers in the fall of 2022, Abitibi-Témiscamingue campaigned for one of the three CAQ deputies from the region to be given a seat in the Holy of Holies, to no avail. At the start of his second term, François Legault dismissed former Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks Pierre Dufour by appointing him parliamentary assistant. He had entrusted Mathieu Lacombe, Minister of Culture and Member of Parliament for Outaouais, with responsibility for the neighboring region.
Jean Boulet, who takes responsibility for a new region in the Council of Ministers, is not afraid of the hundreds of kilometers he will have to travel to fulfill his new tasks.
“Abitibi-Témiscamingue has enormous potential. There is still much need for development on a human, social and economic level. I am already responsible for Mauricie and Nord-du-Québec. There are similar problems and I am very satisfied,” he said.
Legault lacks consideration, the PQ says
At a press conference on Thursday, PQ MP Pascal Bérubé denounced Prime Minister Legault’s lack of consideration for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region.
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
PQ MP Pascal Bérubé (right)
“The theme that was promoted at the CAQ in this region was to be on the side of power. […] But the power there is not in Rouyn-Noranda, not in Val-d’Or, not in Amos, not in Ville-Marie and not in Senneterre. He is in Trois-Rivieres. I don’t know what that says about the appreciation he has for this region,” he said.
According to Mr. Bérubé, “it is very important that we have someone at the table of the Council of Ministers if we live in the territory and that they advocate for us.”
In government, CAQ deputies from the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region praised the work of their colleagues in the Council of Ministers.
“It is not the regional minister who does the work in the district. The regional minister is there to support,” said Daniel Bernard, member for Rouyn-Noranda-Témiscamingue.
PHOTO ÉRICK LABBÉ, LE SOLEIL ARCHIVE
Pierre Dufour
“We are not talking about a ministerial reshuffle. We are talking about a reorganization of tasks. […] A request has already been made to provide a minister if there is a ministerial reshuffle,” continued former minister Pierre Dufour.
“I just heard the news. I’m going to Abitibi today, I know you are disappointed,” replied the MP for Abitibi-Ouest, Suzanne Blais.
“I stand by my Prime Minister. We will be a great team. Mr Boulet has good expertise, I welcome him and thank Mr Lacombe for his excellent work,” she added.
With Fanny Lévesque and Tommy Chouinard