Former CAQ minister and leadership candidate Bernard Drainville received the backing of three of his former cabinet colleagues Monday, a day before voting begins to elect François Legault’s successor.

Quebec’s Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette, Minister of Health Sonia Bélanger and Transport Minister Jonatan Julien announced they are endorsing Drainville at a press conference.

The backing by high-profile names comes as the campaign enters its last week before the party is set to announce the new leader on April 12.

Drainville’s rival Christine Fréchette has consistently led in the polls and has also received the support of 16 ministers from Legault’s cabinet, Finance Minister Éric Girard and Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau.

Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette announced his endorsement of Bernard Drainville for CAQ leadership as ministers Sonia Bélanger and Jonatan Julien look on at a press conference in Montreal on April 6, 2026 (Gareth Madoc-Jones, CityNews)

In announcing his endorsement, Jolin-Barrette said, that Drainville is the best person to embody the third nationalist voice.

“I’ve been following the race; I’ve been able to evaluate the proposals objectively, and I’ve come to the conclusion that the core values of our political party, the CAQ, are embodied and championed by Bernard,” who is “the person best suited to become premier,” argued Jolin-Barrette.

During the campaign, Drainville has often presented himself as the candidate best suited to defend Quebec’s identity. In one of the two debates, he accused Fréchette of flip-flopping on immigration and promised to have stricter immigration policies.

Bélanger said the former environment minister was the right choice for Quebec due to his convictions and style.

“He understands what young people and families are going through, what people in the regions are going through, and he has the courage to tell it like it really is,” Bélanger said.

The health minister also highlighted Drainville’s “love for Quebec,” his “authenticity,” and his “vision for the healthcare system.” The CAQ leadership candidate would, in particular, allow doctors practicing in the private sector to offer some of their services within the public system.

She added that is best positioned to bring the CAQ back to its roots and its core values.

Quebec Transport Minister Jonatan Julien announced his endorsement of Bernard Drainville for CAQ leadership at a press conference in Montreal on April 6, 2026 (Gareth Madoc-Jones, CityNews)

Transport Minister Julien echoed Bélanger in his endorsement of Drainville for CAQ’s leadership said he would be able to take on other party leaders ahead of the provincial elections.

“Bernard Drainville brings experience, strong convictions, and a deep understanding of the regions. He has led three ministries. He has held his own in this race from the start—facing the press, weathering attacks, and holding his own in debates,” Julien said.

A ‘major turning point’

Various polls have shown that Fréchette has been ahead of her rival since the start of the race.

“But let’s be careful, because polling firms obviously don’t have access to membership lists,” said Drainville, noting that it is the party members who will choose the new leader, who will effectively become premier.

“What we’re seeing in the tracking calls we’re currently conducting is that our support continues to grow,” said the Lévis representative, adding that “people who were undecided are now with us, and people who supported the other candidate, Christine, are now undecided or deciding to support us.”

The polling refers to a practice that involves identifying and recording the voting intentions of citizens or party members through door-to-door canvassing or telephone calls.

The support of the three ministers marks “a major turning point in the campaign” that aligns “with what we’re seeing on the ground,” namely a “rallying that is currently taking place,” added Drainville.

Until now, Drainville had been able to count on the support of several CAQ members of the National Assembly, the Minister for the Economy, Samuel Poulin, and leaders of the CAQ’s youth wing.

The new leader will be announced on April 12 at the party convention in Drummondville.

— With files from La Presse Canadienne