Canada: Quebec Premier François Legault Resigns

Does Legault's exit enable Quebec's identity protection, or end his divisive culture wars that ignored real issues?

Published 13 hours ago

Canada: Quebec Premier François Legault Resigns

story

Above: Francois Legault, Quebec's premier, at the First Minister's Meeting in Ottawa, Canada, on March 21, 2025. Image credit: David Kawai/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Spin

Conservative narrative

Legault's resignation clears the way for Quebec to finally embrace policies the vast majority already supports: stronger secularism, aggressive French protection and lower immigration levels. The PLQ and federalist forces have divided Quebecers by opposing these common-sense identity measures that unite francophones. A new government can now double down on language requirements and push Ottawa for greater control over immigration to secure Quebec's survival as a distinct nation.

Mathieu Bock-Côté on X Visa HQ

Liberal narrative

Legault leaves behind broken pieces after choosing to divide Quebecers around false identity debates rather than address real concerns like housing, health care and education. His government damaged cultural minorities with coercive laws while teachers, doctors and workers faced attacks instead of support. Quebec needs a shift away from confrontation and austerity toward policies that serve people's wallets and public services, not manufactured culture wars.

CBC UNIFOR

Cynical narrative

Legault’s exit doesn’t usher in renewal — it reopens Quebec’s oldest wounds. The CAQ was built to break the sterile PQ-vs-Liberal trench warfare with a nationalist, non-separatist middle ground. Without him, that center risks collapsing, dragging Quebec back into bitter identity and national unity fights voters thought they’d moved past. The result isn’t clarity — it’s polarization on repeat.

National Post

Optimist narrative

Legault’s departure isn’t an ending — it’s a reset. By removing the lightning rod, the CAQ can turn voter fatigue into reconsideration, just as federal Liberals did after Trudeau stepped aside. With a new leader and the PQ pushing a referendum most Quebecers don’t want, the choice shifts from protest to risk. In a high-stakes moment, renewal plus stability can still win.

David Coletto on X

David Coletto on Substack