Isabelle Charest, Olympic skater turned CAQ minister, won’t seek re-election
Isabelle Charest, an Olympic medallist turned Quebec politician, will not seek re-election in the province’s upcoming election, she announced Monday in a statement on social media.
It’s another departure for the Coalition Avenir Québec party as it prepares for a post-François Legault era. Legault’s successor — either Christine Fréchette or Bernard Drainville — will be chosen on April 12.
And the party finds itself in an uphill battle. A recent Léger survey placed support for the CAQ at just nine per cent. It’s a level that could leave the party with no seats if an election were held today, according to analysts.
Charest, the CAQ MNA for Brome-Missisquoi and minister responsible for the Estrie region as well as sports, recreation and outdoor activities, described her time in politics as “enriching, exhilarating and stimulating.”
“Being an MNA, then a minister has certainly been the most demanding and engaging experience of my professional career, while being the most rewarding, exhilarating and stimulating. I will also be eternally grateful that Mr. Legault granted me the privilege of fulfilling these roles,” she wrote on Facebook.
The decision had been made after discussions with family and colleagues, she added.
Having built a high-profile career as a three-time Olympic medallist in speedskating, Charest was elected in 2018 in Brome-Missisquoi. The Coalition Avenir Québec then swept to its first majority government.
Charest said she will take time to consider her next professional step after leaving politics.
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