Quebec's minister of economics announces his imminent resignation due to lack of motivation

Pierre Fitzgibbon, the minister who has led Quebec's economic development efforts for the past six years, announced on Wednesday that he is stepping down due to a loss of enthusiasm for politics.

Initially, Fitzgibbon planned to remain in his position until December, but after discussions with Premier François Legault, he decided to resign earlier.

During a press conference at the Coalition Avenir Québec's caucus retreat in Rimouski, Fitzgibbon explained that Legault advised him to step down immediately if he did not intend to serve until the 2026 election.

"I fully understand that it was the right decision," Fitzgibbon stated while standing alongside the premier.

As part of the government, Legault had entrusted Fitzgibbon with two of the province's most critical ministerial roles: the economy and energy.

This heavy responsibility earned him the nickname "super minister," and he was often viewed as a key architect of Quebec's economic strategy.

Reflecting on his tenure, Fitzgibbon expressed pride in his accomplishments, particularly in advancing Quebec's battery industry and promoting green energy production as the energy minister.

"The results speak for themselves," he said. "The Quebec economy is in great shape, better than ever, but it's time for me to move on to other pursuits."

Legault praised Fitzgibbon's contributions, highlighting the positive impact of his work on Quebec's economy. He described Fitzgibbon as "tireless," noting his late-night communications and frequent business trips.

"I want to thank Pierre Fitzgibbon," Legault said. "Pierre has dedicated six years of his life to public service, which is a significant commitment to Quebecers. We all owe him our gratitude."

Fitzgibbon did not disclose his future plans but mentioned that he would refrain from contacting former colleagues for favors or making media appearances.

Since 2018, he has represented the Montreal-area riding of Terrebonne in the National Assembly. Before entering politics, Fitzgibbon had a successful career in business and is a close friend of Legault, with whom he studied at HEC, a business school affiliated with Université de Montréal.

The premier now faces the challenge of appointing new ministers for the economy and energy portfolios—or finding someone capable of handling both roles, as Fitzgibbon did.

Throughout his six-year tenure, Fitzgibbon was no stranger to controversy, having been the subject of six ethics investigations related to contracts awarded to companies with which he had business ties.

In early 2023, he was cleared of any wrongdoing in an investigation into a $24-million government investment in Lumenpulse (LMPG), a lighting products company.