caroline proulx

Quebec’s Political Landscape Shifts as Key CAQ Figures Step Down: Proulx and Carmant in the Spotlight

Recent weeks have seen a wave of high-profile departures from Quebec’s ruling Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), shaking up the provincial political scene. At the heart of the conversation are two prominent figures: Caroline Proulx, Minister for Seniors, and Lionel Carmant, former Minister of Health. Their exits—driven by personal tragedy and policy disagreements—are sending ripples across the province, raising questions about the CAQ’s stability, leadership, and future direction.

The Main Story: Why Two Major CAQ Ministers Are Leaving—and What It Means

In a province where political loyalty often runs deep, the simultaneous departure of two key cabinet members is rare—and significant. The first domino to fall was Lionel Carmant, who officially resigned as a minister and quit the CAQ caucus in late October 2025. His resignation, reported by Radio-Canada and La Presse, came amid growing tensions over Bill 2, a controversial piece of legislation aimed at restructuring Quebec’s medical workforce.

Just days later, Caroline Proulx, Minister for Seniors, stepped back from her duties, not due to policy conflict, but because of a deeply personal reason: the traumatic death of her mother. According to TVA Nouvelles, Proulx was “paralyzed” by grief and unable to continue her ministerial responsibilities.

These back-to-back departures are more than just personal or political setbacks. They signal deeper fractures within the CAQ—a party that has prided itself on unity, discipline, and a “common sense” approach to governance. With both ministers representing different wings of the party—Proulx, a social policy advocate; Carmant, a healthcare reformer—their exits could foreshadow a shift in the CAQ’s priorities or even internal power struggles.

Recent Updates: A Timeline of Key Events

Here’s a chronological breakdown of the verified developments, based on official news sources:

• October 28, 2025: TVA Nouvelles reports that Caroline Proulx is stepping down temporarily as Minister for Seniors due to the sudden and traumatic death of her mother. The article describes her as “paralyzed” by grief, with no immediate return date confirmed. The CAQ acknowledges the situation and expresses support.

• October 30, 2025: La Presse publishes an article titled “Loi 2 sur les médecins | Lionel Carmant quitte la CAQ” (“Bill 2 on Doctors: Lionel Carmant Leaves the CAQ”), confirming that Lionel Carmant has resigned as minister and withdrawn from the CAQ caucus. The move is directly tied to opposition to Bill 2, which seeks to impose stricter working conditions on doctors, including mandatory shifts in understaffed regions.

• October 30, 2025 (Same Day): Radio-Canada corroborates Carmant’s departure, citing internal party sources. The report notes that Carmant’s exit was “unexpected” and “deeply symbolic,” given his previous role as a rising star in the CAQ and a close ally of Premier François Legault.

• Early November 2025: The Premier’s Office announces interim replacements. Geneviève Guilbault, Deputy Premier, takes on Proulx’s portfolio on a temporary basis. Carmant’s former responsibilities are redistributed among existing health and social services ministers, signaling a cautious approach to filling the void.

These developments mark one of the most turbulent periods for the CAQ since its 2018 election victory. While neither departure was framed as a formal “break” from the party, the implications are clear: loyalty is being tested, and ideological rifts are emerging.

Behind the Scenes: Who Are Caroline Proulx and Lionel Carmant?

To understand the significance of their departures, it helps to know who they are—and what they represented within the CAQ.

Caroline Proulx: The Voice for Quebec’s Seniors

Appointed Minister for Seniors in 2022, Caroline Proulx has been a visible advocate for aging populations in Quebec. A former municipal judge and city councilor in Saint-Jérôme, she entered provincial politics in 2018 and quickly gained recognition for her calm demeanor and policy focus on senior care, housing, and mental health.

Her work has included: - Pushing for expanded home-care services - Advocating for dementia-friendly communities - Launching the “Aînés en santé” (Healthy Seniors) initiative to reduce isolation

Proulx was seen as a bridge between the CAQ’s conservative base and progressive social policies. Her temporary exit due to grief has drawn widespread sympathy across party lines. “This is a human moment, not a political one,” said a senior CAQ staffer, speaking anonymously. “We’re giving her the space she needs.”

Lionel Carmant: The Doctor-Politician Who Challenged the Status Quo

Lionel Carmant is a pediatric neurologist by training, making him one of the few practicing physicians in Quebec politics. Elected in 2018 and later named Minister of Health, he brought a data-driven, clinical perspective to healthcare reform.

But his tenure was marked by friction. As La Presse noted, Carmant was a vocal critic of Bill 2, which requires doctors to work in designated regions for a minimum number of years—or face financial penalties. He argued the law would: - Drive young doctors out of the province - Violate professional autonomy - Exacerbate burnout

His resignation wasn’t just a protest—it was a defiance of party discipline. “I cannot, in good conscience, support a law that harms the very professionals we rely on,” Carmant reportedly told colleagues, according to sources cited in Radio-Canada.

His departure echoes a broader trend: healthcare professionals increasingly resisting top-down reforms in Quebec. It also raises questions about whether the CAQ is listening to experts—or prioritizing political control.

Context: The Bigger Picture of CAQ’s Internal Struggles

These departures don’t happen in a vacuum. They reflect long-standing tensions within the CAQ, a party that blends conservative fiscal policies with moderate social views.

1. The CAQ’s Identity Crisis

Since its founding in 2011, the CAQ has positioned itself as a “third way”—neither federalist nor sovereigntist, neither left nor right. But as the party governs, it’s being pulled in multiple directions: - Social conservatives want stricter immigration and secularism laws - Progressives push for climate action, gender equity, and healthcare reform - Fiscal hawks demand austerity, while public sector workers demand better pay and conditions

Proulx and Carmant represent two sides of this spectrum. Proulx’s focus on seniors and social welfare appeals to the progressive wing; Carmant’s medical background and reformist instincts align with evidence-based governance.

Their exits suggest the CAQ is struggling to balance these competing visions.

2. The Healthcare Crisis in Quebec

Quebec’s healthcare system has been under strain for years, with chronic understaffing, long wait times, and high burnout rates among medical staff. Bill 2 was intended to address these issues by forcing doctors to work in underserved areas.

But as Carmant’s resignation shows, mandates without support don’t work. Doctors argue that the real solution isn’t coercion, but better pay, mental health resources, and modernized infrastructure.

The CAQ’s approach—top-down, centralized—has alienated many in the medical community. Carmant’s departure may embolden others to speak out.

3. The Personal vs. Political

Caroline Proulx’s exit is a reminder that politics is personal. Grief doesn’t wait for a convenient time. Her decision to step back has been met with empathy—not criticism.

In a culture that often demands “strength” from leaders, Proulx’s vulnerability is a powerful statement. It also highlights a growing expectation: politicians should be allowed to be human.

Immediate Effects: What’s Happening Right Now?

The fallout from these departures is already visible:

• Leadership vacuum: With two key ministers gone, the CAQ must redistribute responsibilities. This could lead to policy delays, especially in healthcare and senior services.
• **Public perception