Quebec's 'super minister' of economy and energy resigns from cabinet

Pierre Fitzgibbon, Quebec's provincial minister for economy and energy and a key member of the ruling Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) cabinet, is stepping down from his position.

Fitzgibbon's resignation comes just days before the Quebec National Assembly was set to reconvene for the fall session. A Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Terrebonne since 2018, Fitzgibbon entered politics after a successful business career. He is a close friend of Premier François Legault, with whom he studied at HEC Montreal, a prestigious business school affiliated with Université de Montréal.

Fitzgibbon informed a select group of people about his decision on Tuesday, and the news was soon confirmed by CBC/Radio-Canada journalists.

As minister, Fitzgibbon was responsible for spearheading the development of Quebec's electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing sector. This included several major projects, such as lithium mining for EV batteries and establishing factories to produce EV battery components.

One of the key projects under his leadership, the construction of a Northvolt plant on Montreal's South Shore, has faced setbacks and controversy. The Quebec government's decision to bypass an evaluation by the province's environmental watchdog, BAPE, has drawn criticism, with experts suggesting it undermined public trust.

Fitzgibbon has also been the subject of six ethics investigations related to contracts awarded to companies with which he had business connections.

In early 2023, he was cleared of any wrongdoing in one investigation concerning a $24-million government investment in the parent company of lighting products manufacturer Lumenpulse (LMPG).

Often referred to as a "super minister" in the Legault government, Fitzgibbon has been recognized for his significant influence on Quebec's economy and his role as a key architect of the province's economic strategy.