Big changes as Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard shuffles cabinet

By Rachel Lau Online Producer - Quebec Global News

WATCH ABOVE: There were some big changes as Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard shuffled his cabinet Thursday morning, the first time since the Liberals were elected in April 2014. Global's Raquel Fletcher reports.

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QUEBEC CITY – There were some big changes as Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard shuffled his cabinet Thursday morning, the first time since the Liberals were elected in April 2014.

Opposition parties had been urging the Premier to move things around.

Room cheers Lise Theriault who was on sick leave as ministre de la condition feminine #Remaniement #cabinetshuffle #quebec
— Raquel Fletcher (@RaquelGlobal) January 28, 2016

Dominique Anglade becomes minister of the economy and Liberal caucus gets closer to gender parity pic.twitter.com/FRUtIcC17L
— Raquel Fletcher (@RaquelGlobal) January 28, 2016

In February 2015, the Premier was put in the hot seat, defending ministers that were considered to be weak links.

Francois Blais is out and Pierre Moreau is in — new education minister. Relief for @qesba #cabinetshuffle

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Premier Philippe Couillard on his first year in office

— Karen Macdonald (@macdonaldglobal) January 28, 2016

“I have confidence in my team, I will not comment on rumours and articles in newspapers. We will go forward,” Couillard said in 2015.

“I have a lot of talent both in cabinet and in my caucus and I’m very happy with the team that is around me.”

The majority government has had its ups and downs, but said it hopes its first cabinet shuffle will be beneficial.

WATCH: Global’s Jamie Orchard sits down with Philippe Couillard

Keeping their ministries are immigration, justice, finance, health, ag and environment ministers #remaniement #qcpoli
— Raquel Fletcher (@RaquelGlobal) January 28, 2016

Carlos Leitao will stay on as Finance Minister and Gaétan Barrette will continues as Health Minister.

MNA for Bourassa -Sauve Rita de Santis joins cabinet as Minister for Access to Information.
— Karen Macdonald (@macdonaldglobal) January 28, 2016

The new group of ministers will be tasked with fulfilling the Liberals’ election promise of creating 250,000 jobs within five years of taking office.

1/3@phcouillard quoted Robert Kennedy at swearing in: “The Gross National Product does not include the beauty of our poetry
— Karen Macdonald (@macdonaldglobal) January 28, 2016

2/3 or the intelligence of our public debate. It measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning,
— Karen Macdonald (@macdonaldglobal) January 28, 2016

3/3 neither our compassion nor our devotion. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile.”
— Karen Macdonald (@macdonaldglobal) January 28, 2016

What are the big changes?

Pierre Moreau replaces François Blais as Education Minister; Blais is moved to Employment and Social Solidarity.

Martin Coiteux, who was Quebec Treasury Board president, is now in charge of municipal affairs and public security.

Former Labour Minister Sam Hamad replaces Coiteux as Treasury Board president.

Former Tourism Minister Dominique Vien is named Labour Minister; Tourism goes to Julie Boulet.

CORRECTION: Quebec cabinet is 11 women and 17 men, which is closer to gender parity (about 40%)
— Raquel Fletcher (@RaquelGlobal) January 28, 2016

Sébastien Proulx replaces Francine Charbonneau as Family Minister; she is now in charge of Seniors and the fight against bullying.

Newcomer Dominique Anglade is now Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation.

Former Economy Minister Jacques Daoust replaces Robert Poëti as Transport Minister.

Lise Thériault, back from sick leave, is named Deputy Premier and will lead a multi-pronged portfolio that includes women’s issues, small and medium businesses and regional economic development.

Rita de Santis joins cabinet as Minister for Democratic Institutions Reform and Access to Information.

Luc Fortin is named Minister of Sports and Leisure.

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