Former Quebec transport minister Robert Poëti announced Wednesday he will not be seeking re-election in the provincial elections this October.
The minister for integrity in public procurement and for information resources made the announcement on his Facebook page.
READ MORE: Robert Poëti reflects on being shuffled out of cabinet, wanting to make a difference
Poeti says the reason he’s leaving is to have more time at home.
“I wanted my life – a few Saturdays and a few Sundays,” Poëti told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday.
He was first elected as the MNA for Marguerite-Bourgeoys in 2012.
Poëti was later named minister of transport from 2014 to 2016.
READ MORE: Big changes as Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard shuffles cabinet
He was shuffled out of cabinet after speaking about his concerns when it came to the awarding of government contracts.
The premier welcomed Poëtiback into cabinet two years later, but with a much smaller portfolio. Poëti denies that his sudden decision to quit has anything to do with his relationship with the premier.
“Last summer, he asked me to stop and have a beer and talk, at the side of the lake, at his place,” Poëti said.
Several other members of the Liberal Party have also announced they will not seek reelection, including Tourism Minister Julie Boulet, Immigration Minister David Heurtel, Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux, Justice Minister Stephanie Vallée and Jean-Marc Fournier.
Premier Philippe Couillard said that these departures do not harm the Liberals’ chances of re-election.
“This and other cases in the recent weeks shows that we have a fantastic opportunity for the most significant renewal that our party has ever seen at the start of an electoral campaign,” Couillard said.
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