There’s another departure from the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ). Transport Minister Benoit Charette has announced that he will leave politics at the end of his term. “I won’t have my ‘face on the sign,’ as the saying goes. For family reasons, I will not be running for reelection. It’s a decision I fully stand by, though it’s heart-wrenching,” he wrote on social media platform X late Wednesday afternoon. He also said he had delayed announcing his departure to “minimize the impact” on his family. Charette said he is aware that his announcement “can be interpreted in various ways, particularly in a negative light during this election period.” The CAQ member said he intends to continue his work alongside Premier Christine Fréchette following the October election. “Quebec will face turbulent and uncertain waters in the coming years, and Christine is the ideal person to serve as our captain,” said Charette. He also thanked former Premier François Legault for his trust. Charette was first elected as an MNA for the Deux-Montagnes riding in 2008 under the Parti Québécois (PQ) banner. During his term, he left the PQ to serve as an independent member. He later joined the CAQ. He lost his seat in 2012 while running as a CAQ candidate but regained it in 2014. He was re-elected in 2018 and 2022. Once the CAQ was in government, Charette held several ministerial posts: Environment, Anti-Racism, Infrastructure, and Transportation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 19, 2026. Thomas Laberge, The Canadian Press
