Christian Dubé Steps Down, Shaking Quebec Politics Before the Holidays
So here’s what’s been making waves in Quebec politics right now, just days before the holiday break. Christian Dubé, the Health Minister and one of the heavyweights of the CAQ government, has officially resigned, and it didn’t happen quietly. This was described by many as a door being slammed shut, and it immediately set the tone for a tense end to the political year.
The announcement was made through a public letter shared on social media. In it, Dubé explained that he no longer believed he was the right person to continue in his role. That line alone carried a lot of weight. After years of steering major health reforms, especially during and after the pandemic, it was acknowledged that the political and personal cost had become too high. From now on, he will continue to sit in the National Assembly, but as an independent, not as a member of the CAQ.
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This resignation came at a particularly sensitive moment. Dubé had been leading proposed changes to Bill 2, a law aimed at reforming how doctors are paid in Quebec. An agreement in principle had recently been reached with family doctors, but amendments were expected, and not all of them aligned with Dubé’s original vision. It was made clear that he did not want to be the one to defend changes that, in his view, would weaken the reform he had fought for. Rather than compromise on that point, the decision to step aside was taken.
Almost immediately, attention shifted to who would replace him. It was quickly confirmed that Sonia Bélanger, the current junior minister of Health and minister responsible for Social Services, had been chosen to take over. Her swearing-in is expected to happen without delay, signaling the government’s desire to restore stability as fast as possible.
This resignation was one of the major topics discussed by radio host Paul Arcand during his final press review before the holiday break. Alongside Dubé’s departure, Arcand also touched on other stories grabbing attention, including the Sûreté du Québec’s efforts to crack down on aggressive tailgaters on highways, ongoing trade tensions with the United States, and the release of new photos and documents linked to the Epstein affair.
But it was Dubé’s exit that dominated the conversation. For many observers, it marked the end of an era in Quebec’s health ministry. Whether his departure will slow down reform or open the door to a different approach remains to be seen. What’s certain is that this political bombshell has ensured that health care, once again, will be front and center when Quebecers return from the holidays.
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