Quick quotes: Quebec Premier François Legault announces resignation

By Canadian Press on January 14, 2026.

QUÉBEC — Tributes to departing Quebec Premier François Legault are coming in from across the country as the co-founder of the Coalition Avenir Québec party says he will leave office when his replacement is chosen. Premier since 2018, Legault told a news conference in Quebec City on Wednesday that he recognized Quebecers want change.

Here are some quick quotes from Legault and Canada’s other political leaders:

“I can clearly see that right now, many Quebecers are first and foremost calling for change, including a change of premier … I can guarantee you that every day I got up telling myself, ‘I want what’s best for Quebecers.’ I didn’t always succeed, but I can guarantee that I tried — I tried very hard, with all the energy I had.”

— François Legault in his resignation announcement in Quebec City

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“Thank you, Premier François Legault for your friendship, leadership and many years of public service, and for working so closely together to build a stronger relationship between the people of Ontario and Quebec. I wish you and your family all the very best in your retirement.”

— Ontario Premier Doug Ford

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“I want to thank Premier François Legault for his years of dedicated public service to Quebec and to Canada. His leadership reflected a deep commitment to his province and to the well-being of the people of Quebec. It was a pleasure working alongside the premier at our Council of the Federation table. I wish him all the best in the next chapter and thank him for his contributions to our federation.”

— Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

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“I want to thank Premier Legault for his leadership and steady presence at the Council of the Federation table. It’s been a pleasure working with him over the past several years. I wish him and Isabelle (Brais) all the best in their next chapter.”

— Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston

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“I want to acknowledge Premier François Legault’s service to the people of Quebec and thank him for his years of public leadership … As for what comes next for the Memorandum of Understanding (on draft hydroelectricity agreement) — nothing has changed. The independent review of the Churchill River MOU is ongoing. From my standpoint, it doesn’t matter who leads the province of Quebec or who will be sitting across from me at the negotiating table. My focus remains firmly on acting in the best long-term interests of our province and my priority will always be to ensure that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are the primary beneficiary of our resources.”

Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

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“Mr. Legault served Quebec at pivotal moments. We can think in particular of challenging times, notably the pandemic. He will have left a lasting mark on Quebec’s political life through decisions that will shape the province’s future. I truly wish him all the best going forward.”

— Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada

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“There will be a time to take stock of his years in power, and it is Quebecers who will have the final say on the legacy of his government. Today, I mainly want to underscore the immense responsibility that comes with serving our nation as premier. It is a level of dedication that deserves our full respect.”

— Marc Tanguay, interim leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, official Opposition

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“Despite our deep disagreements over the causes of our current collective challenges and over Quebec’s future, François Legault was always sincere in his desire to improve the lot of the Quebec nation … He chose a different path, one that likely had its limits, but I want to acknowledge that determination to move Quebec forward and to preserve its linguistic and cultural distinctiveness.”

— Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 14, 2026.

The Canadian Press