CAQ Removes Mathieu Lacombe as Culture Minister and Party Member

Quebec's outgoing government has removed Mathieu Lacombe from his position as minister of Culture and Communications after he attended the Parti Québécois victory celebration on election night. The Coalition Avenir Québec also expelled the Papineau representative from its membership, citing a serious breach of party rules following the CAQ's defeat in the provincial election.

The office of outgoing Premier Christine Fréchette announced that a replacement would be appointed to the culture portfolio, even though the ministerial transition under incoming premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon was expected within two weeks. The successor was expected to serve only briefly before the new cabinet took office.

Fréchette's office said Lacombe's appearance at the opposition party's celebration conflicted with the CAQ's principles and obligations to its members and colleagues.

"Mr. Lacombe's decision to attend another party's event on election night is not compatible with the CAQ's values. Out of respect for our activists, caucus and cabinet, the premier will appoint a new person to the position of minister of Culture and Communications. Solidarity and respect are fundamental principles of the CAQ." — Office of Christine Fréchette

The party also took formal action against Lacombe after its national executive council reviewed his conduct. According to the CAQ, the council adopted a resolution on Thursday to terminate his membership.

"Mr. Lacombe's conduct was brought to the attention of the CAQ's National Executive Council. This constitutes a serious breach of our party's constitution.

A resolution was adopted on Thursday to remove Mr. Lacombe as a member of the Coalition." — Coalition Avenir Québec

Lacombe addressed the controversy in a statement posted on social media late Friday morning. He said he had attended the Parti Québécois gathering on Monday to celebrate the victory of people he respected and had developed friendships with over the years.

"In politics, beyond party lines, there are also meaningful friendships. On Monday evening, I attended a Parti Québécois gathering to celebrate the victory of people I respect and with whom I have built relationships over the years. That said, despite my decision to leave politics, I was still serving in my official capacity. I therefore should not have attended that event." — Mathieu Lacombe

He also acknowledged that his decision had disappointed people within his political circle and offered an apology.

"I would like to offer my sincere apologies to all the activists, colleagues and friends whom this decision may have hurt or disappointed." — Mathieu Lacombe

Political analyst Dimitri Soudas also criticized Lacombe's attendance in a Facebook post on Thursday evening. Soudas, who appears on political programs including Mordus de politique on ICI RDI, argued that a serving minister should not attend an opposition party's election celebration.

"By attending the Parti Québécois victory rally, he crossed a red line that a serving minister should never cross. [...] There are limits that must not be exceeded. Ministerial loyalty is not a matter of convenience." — Dimitri Soudas

Soudas called on Fréchette to remove Lacombe from his position immediately. The controversy followed the CAQ's sweeping electoral defeat, in which the party won no seats despite receiving 572,000 votes, according to La Voix de l'Est.

The Parti Québécois also captured Papineau, the Outaouais riding Lacombe had represented. Isabelle Millette won the seat by just over 500 votes, marking the party's first electoral breakthrough in the region since 1976.

Lacombe had announced in June that he would not seek a third consecutive term, ending his political career after the election. He had won Papineau in 2018 with 47% of the vote and in 2022 with 53%.

The former journalist served as Quebec's minister responsible for the Outaouais for seven and a half years. He took over the Culture and Communications portfolio in fall 2022 and also served as minister of Families during his first term and minister responsible for Youth from 2022 to 2025.