MONTREAL – For the fourth time in less than two years, Quebec has appointed a new education minister.
In an emergency cabinet shuffle Monday evening, Premier Philippe Couillard addressed Pierre Moreau’s health.
“He will need to go undergo serious treatments over the coming weeks…for many months probably,” he said.
“He will not be able to continue his current professional activity.”
READ MORE: Quebec Education Minister Pierre Moreau to undergo biopsy for tumour
Moreau was on forced medical leave earlier this month due to a health emergency on the day he was set to be sworn in as education minister.
Couillard announced a reduced workload for Moreau, who will now be moved to junior finance minister.
“He’s being given a role in the cabinet, which will allow him, when he feels strong enough to do it, to participate at a reduced level, compared to his intense activities in the recent months,” Couillard said.
WATCH: Quebec’s Education Minister Pierre Moreau has a tumour, the nature of which is unspecified, according to the Ministry of Education in a statement. Global’s Raquel Fletcher reports.
Sebastien Proulx will add the duties of the education minister to his portfolio, while staying on as family minister.
Hélène David will become minister of higher education.
It was also announced that Lucie Charlebois will take over from Moreau as minister responsible for the Montérégie region, in addition to her current tasks in public health and youth protection.
Luc Fortin will now serve as minister of culture and communications.
The education file may be controversial over the next several months as the government pushes ahead with the reforms to the province’s school boards.
Sylvia Martin-Laforge, Director General of the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN), said although her heart goes out to Moreau and his family, the constant shuffle of ministers is worrisome.
“Having four different ministers in less than two years, in such a big portfolio like education, is of course concerning,” she said.
Martin-Laforge said she’s looking forward to sitting with the new minister to discuss Bill 86.
“There has been a bit of a stop-and-start exercise in the most recent weeks and we need to get our position on the table and we need to meet with the minister,” she said.
Hearings on the bill are currently underway.
Couillard said although there may be some brief delays, they will proceed.
The Liberal Party of Quebec posted a message of support on its Facebook page Monday evening.