Another CAQ minister set to announce he’s leaving politics

Mathieu Lacombe, Minister of Culture and Communications, responds to the opposition during question period at the Quebec National Assembly on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Resignations are mounting within the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) as the elections draw ever closer.

Following Minister Jean Boulet, it is now the turn of his colleague in charge of culture, Mathieu Lacombe, to leave politics at the end of his term.

The news, first reported by Radio-Canada, has been confirmed by The Canadian Press. Lacombe is expected to make the announcement on Thursday.

A former journalist, Lacombe has been the Member of the National Assembly for the Papineau riding, in the Outaouais region, since 2018.

He served as Minister for Family Affairs during the CAQ’s first term before moving to the culture portfolio in 2022.

Recently, Minister Lacombe broke a taboo within the CAQ by stating that he would be in the “Yes” camp should there be a third referendum on Québec’s independence. The revelation came just hours after his colleague, Boulet, had stated that he would instead be on the “No” side.

Last December, he secured the passage of Bill 109, which aims to impose minimum thresholds for French-language content on major platforms such as Netflix and Spotify. Lacombe also introduced legislation to make hockey Québec’s national sport.

Around 30 CAQ Members of the National Assembly have announced that they will not stand for re-election in the upcoming October elections.

Could other CAQ ministers follow in the footsteps of Boulet and Lacombe? Several remain vague about their intentions.

Premier Christine Fréchette has still not announced her candidacy for the election. She has assured that she will address the situation on Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 18, 2026.

Thomas Laberge, The Canadian Press