Quebec Premier François Legault participates in a press conference with Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, not pictured, in Montreal's City Hall, on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
François Legault announced on Wednesday he will step down as Quebec premier when the Coalition Avenir Québec — the party he co-founded in 2011 — chooses his replacement. The departure of Legault, who had also co-founded Air Transat and was its CEO between 1986 and 1997, brings to an end a political career spanning 28 years with two political parties.
Here’s a timeline of key moments:
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François Legault Industry and Commerce Minister François Legault gets a kiss from his wife Isabelle Brais during a rally in Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Quebec Saturday Nov. 11, 1998. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Coalition Avenir Québec leader Francois Legault Coalition Avenir Québec leader Francois Legault during a news conference during an election campaign stop in Saint-Jerome, Que., Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
François Legault From left, Coalition Avenir Québec leader François Legault, Quebec Premier Jean Charest, Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois and Quebec Solidaire leader Françoise David pose for a photograph piror to the leaders debate in Montreal, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Quebec Education Minister Francois Legault Quebec Education Minister Francois Legault speaks to delegates at the beginning of a three-day summit on Quebec and Youth, Tuesday Feb.22, 2000, in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot)
Francois Legault Former Parti Québécois cabinet minister Francois Legault announces the creation of a new political party, the Coalition pour l'avenir du Québec, at a news conference in Quebec City, Monday, Feb. 21, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
Francois Legault Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Francois Legault votes in L'Assomption, Que., on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Sean Kilpatrick
Quebec CAQ Leader Francois Legault Quebec CAQ Leader Francois Legault meets federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau at the legislature in Quebec City, Thursday, April 18, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Clement Allard
François Legault Coalition Avenir du Quebec leader François Legault takes part in a friendly hockey game with supporters while campaigning Saturday, March 15, 2014 in Terrebonne, Quebec. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Coalition Avenir Québec leader François Legault Coalition Avenir Québec leader François Legault smiles during a news conference in Laval, Que. on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Francois Legault Coalition Avenir du Quebec leader Francois Legault speaks to supporters after winning the provincial election Monday, Oct. 1, 2018 in Quebec City, Que.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
François Legault Quebec Premier François Legault announces his resignation during a news conference at his office in Quebec City Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2026.
