Quebec Liberals Swear In 40 Lawmakers After Election Gains

Quebec's Liberal Party began its next legislative chapter with 40 elected lawmakers taking their oaths at the National Assembly on Monday, October 19, 2026, following substantial electoral gains earlier in the month. The ceremony in the legislature's Red Room celebrated the party's expanded presence while leader Charles Milliard called for continued rebuilding and a determined approach to opposing the minority government led by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon.

According to Les Affaires, the Liberals more than doubled their representation on October 5, increasing their seat count from 18 to 40. The party regained several constituencies in Montreal, Laval, Outaouais, Montérégie and Estrie, retaining its position as the National Assembly's official opposition.

Former Liberal minister Jean-Marc Fournier attended the ceremony alongside dignitaries including former Quebec premier Jean Charest and Lawrence Cannon. Fournier described the party's electoral performance as a sign of progress.

Former Quebec premier Jean Charest received a warm welcome from the lawmakers, including his son Antoine Charest, who won his first election in the Verdun constituency. The younger Charest acknowledged his newcomer status as he prepared to begin his legislative career.

"I'm a newcomer," Antoine Charest said.

His father emphasized that Antoine had developed his own identity and pursued an independent path. Jean Charest attended with his wife, Michèle, as the family celebrated the election result.

"He built himself and charted his own course," Jean Charest said of his son.

"For us, this is a moment of great happiness," Jean Charest said.

Madwa-Nika Cadet, the Liberal lawmaker representing Bourassa-Sauvé, also welcomed the party's expanded representation and credited the team's efforts and leadership.

"I am very proud," Cadet said.

"Our team worked so hard [...] and we have an extraordinary leader," Cadet said.

Cadet said the Liberals intended to pursue a constructive opposition role and cooperate with the governing Parti Québécois when doing so would benefit Quebec residents.

"Constructive," Cadet said, describing the opposition the party intends to offer.

"When it is in the interest of Quebecers," Cadet said of the circumstances in which the Liberals would collaborate with the government.

Of the party's 40 elected lawmakers, only Affine Lwalalika, who represents Vachon, could not attend the ceremony because a judicial recount was underway in her constituency, according to Les Affaires.

The decision by numerous Liberal lawmakers to deliver their oaths in both French and English also drew attention. Parti Québécois lawmaker Pascal Bérubé commented on the bilingual declarations in a post on X.

"It is surprising that nearly half of the members chose to make their first solemn act at the National Assembly [...] in both languages," Bérubé said.

Milliard used his address to caution that the party's electoral gains did not mean its recovery was complete. He urged members to combine pride in their progress with a clear-eyed assessment of the work remaining.

"A healthy dose of clear-eyed judgment and humility," Milliard said, describing the qualities that should accompany the party's pride.

"The Liberal Party is back!" Milliard declared.

He acknowledged that a more successful electoral outcome would have placed the Liberals in government rather than opposition. The party, he said, still needed to regain support across additional regions.

"If our rebuilding work were finished, we would be forming the government today," Milliard said.

"There are still many regions to win back. [...] The October 5 result is certainly an important milestone, but it is by no means the culmination of all our efforts," Milliard said.

With the duration of the minority government uncertain, Milliard called on Liberal lawmakers to remain mobilized and work together. He presented the party as a government-in-waiting, prepared to cooperate when circumstances require it and challenge the government when necessary.

"A government in waiting," Milliard said, describing the Liberal Party's role.

"To resolve crises, the government will find in us a reliable and open partner, but to create crises, [...] it will find in us a tough and uncompromising opponent," Milliard said.

During a news conference, Milliard identified regional immigration, public finance management and Quebec's national question as areas where the party would take a firm position.

"Uncompromising," Milliard said of the stance he intended to take on those issues.

He also reiterated the party's federalist position, arguing that Quebec's identity could coexist with Canada's national identity. His remarks drew sustained applause from those attending the ceremony.

"The fleur-de-lis shines just as brightly alongside the maple leaf," Milliard said.

The party had also announced its parliamentary leadership appointments on Sunday. Veteran lawmaker André Fortin was named parliamentary leader, while Julie White, who defeated the Parti Québécois in Jean-Talon, became deputy parliamentary leader. Cadet was appointed chief whip, Filomena Rotiroti became caucus chair, and Pascal D'Astous was named Milliard's chief of staff after previously working in the Charest and Couillard governments.