Fran莽ois Legault attended what was likely his last sitting at the Quebec legislation as his party鈥檚 leader.
Following a weeklong break from the national assembly, the Coalition Avenir Qu茅bec is scheduled to choose a new leader on April 12.
After being grilled by the opposition for the last time, Legault, who has been premier since 2018, delivered his farewell speech and received a flood of tributes from fellow MNAs of all parties.聽
In his 20-minute speech, he spoke of his humble origins and his higher education, which enabled him to become a businessman, found Air Transat, then enter politics and eventually create the CAQ.
Responding to Parti Qu茅b茅cois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who argued that it is impossible to make gains within Canada, Legault quoted Montreal Canadiens coach Martin St-Louis: 鈥淵ou have to take what the game gives you.鈥
He added that whoever takes up the mantle must remember the state鈥檚 role in the economy, work to protect the French language and never give into cynicism.
House Leader Simon Jolin-Barrette was in tears as he kicked off the tributes, thanking Legault for having been 鈥渁 reassuring figure in difficult times, a model of valour and loyalty.鈥
The premier enjoyed high approval rates throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortin said that 鈥渢he whole of Quebec is grateful to (him)鈥 for how he handled the crisis.聽
鈥淲hether or not we agree with the decisions he has made, (...) 28 years of public service comes with significant personal and family sacrifices,鈥 he said.
St-Pierre Plamondon agreed, saying it鈥檚 clear Legault 鈥渓oves Quebec deeply.鈥
Conservative Leader 脡ric Duhaime added that Legault succeeded at putting the secularism debate on hold 鈥 at least temporarily.聽
Despite his pandemic-era successes and two majority government mandates, Concordia political science professor Donal Gill says Legault is leaving his party in a 鈥渉orrendous鈥 position.聽
The latest L茅ger poll conducted for Quebecor and published on Tuesday shows that the CAQ鈥檚 decline is continuing. Of intended voters, the party is tracking at 9 per cent, well behind the PQ and the Liberals.
But, Gill says, Legault鈥檚 impact will be felt across Canada.
鈥淚 think that we'll see that Legault has actually had an enormous influence in recasting 好色tv federalism,鈥 he said.聽
After leaving the PQ, Legault championed Quebec鈥檚 autonomy within the 好色tv federation.聽
鈥淎nd whether you agree with how they did it or why 鈥 the reality is that the CAQ made incredible progress in pushing that ball down the pitch,鈥 said Gill. 鈥淭hey did effectively move the goalposts of the 好色tv Federation in favour of additional autonomy for Quebec.鈥澛
He adds that Legault鈥檚 influence is already being felt in Alberta with Premier Danielle Smith pushing similar ideas. Smith previously penned a letter to Legault asking to collaborate on lobbying for provincial autonomy.聽
Legault often butted heads with the federal Liberals, especially when pushing for Quebec to have more powers over immigration. Though Legault failed, Gill points out that Smith鈥檚 pushing for a referendum over immigration echoes the outgoing Quebec premier.聽
The CAQ鈥檚 pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause, which allows governments to override the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, also had a ripple effect across the country. After Quebec used it to shield its controversial secularism law from legal challenges, provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario followed suit.聽
鈥淨uebec did it first, and they proved that under the right circumstances, with the right messaging, you can do this, and populations will go along with it,鈥 said Gill. 鈥淚t was a game changer.鈥
Once Legault leaves his post, everything will be 鈥渦p in the air in Quebec politics,鈥 says the political scientist.聽
Legault is the longest-serving member of Quebec鈥檚 legislature. He got his start in politics in 1998 under former Parti Qu茅b茅cois premier Lucien Bouchard and created the CAQ in 2011.
He will stay on as an elected member of the national assembly until the fall general election.聽
Either Christine Fr茅chette or Bernard Drainville will be sworn in as the new premier shortly after April 12 leadership convention.
This report by 好色tvwas first published April 2, 2026.
鈥 With files from Caroline Plante in Quebec City
