PQ leader Jean-François Lisée announces shadow cabinet
Key positions offered to leadership opponents Alexandre Cloutier, Martine Ouellet
Newly minted Parti Québécois leader Jean-François Lisée named his shadow cabinet today, signalling he is serious about healing wounds by allowing his main opponents in the divisive leadership race to keep their main responsibilities.
Lac–St-Jean MNA Alexandre Cloutier will continue in his role as education critic, and Vachon MNA Martine Ouellet will continue to stick-handle the controversial taxi industry file.
Both those positions are key ones for the PQ, involving issues in which the Couillard government is seen as vulnerable.
"I'm very satisfied with my responsibilities," Cloutier said, on his way into the first caucus meeting Lisée was to chair as leader.
Going after key votes
Hochelaga-Maisonneuve MNA Carole Poirier – one of the first caucus members to rally behind Lisée after Véronique Hivon dropped out of the leadership race – will take on critic responsibilities for immigration, cultural communities and the Island of Montreal.
Poirier's files, too, are seen as critical ones for the PQ as the party tries to make inroads with voters from across the ethnically diverse island.
In addition to his duties as leader, Lisée has appointed himself critic for the French language, a hefty file in and of itself for the PQ.
Here are some of Lisée's other notable appointments:
- Opposition House Leader: Pascal Bérubé
- Secularism & ethics critic: Agnès Maltais
- Environment: Sylvain Gaudreault
- Public security: Stéphane Bergeron
- Health: Diane Lamarre