Quebec Premier Francois Legault announced on Jan. 14 that he would be stepping down from his position after eight years as the head of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), a leadership emblazoned by the weaponization of identity politics and controversy. Through various legislative agendas, Legault forged a path rooted in partisan nationalism, rallying for the preservation of a Quebec identity through measures such as Bill 96 and Bill 21, which solidified his attachment to conservative secularism and nationalism.
It is no surprise that rampant discussion has emerged from such controversies. That is why The Tribune took to the Y to see what McGillians have to say about Legault’s resignation and the future of Quebec.
Camila Sierra, U1 Arts, reflected on the impact of Quebec’s restrictive legislation.
“It’s a relief, honestly, knowing that he’s resigning, and I hope that the values he’s taking with him are these very narrow-minded and conservative values that represent mostly white, richer parts of the population. I hope the values that are introduced are more inclusive and more intentional policies that don’t only focus on secularism […] [because] they weren’t really considering the kinds of populations that would be affected by the law [Bill 21] directly.”
Passed in 2019, Bill 21 bars public sector workers such as judges, police officers, prison guards, and teachers from wearing religious symbols while at work. However, under the guise of creating a secular province, the act disproportionately impacts religious minorities.
Bill 21 represents Quebec’s living history of racism and xenophobia still attempting to restrict the religious liberties of minorities today. It posits strict secularism as the standard, thus rendering outward expressions of faith by religious minorities more easily condemnable while purporting to be a policy of progression and equality.
Jacintha Dykes, U4 Arts, discussed the implications of an identity-obsessed government as other issues continue to negatively impact Quebec residents and students in the province.
“I remember the tuition hikes, a couple years ago. That caused a lot of panic. I don’t think it’s productive to […] favour one part of the population over another. I think that it just creates a lot of division […] [and] distracts from actual issues.”
Vanessa Charleston, U1 Science, explained her own experience with Quebec language laws and how they shaped her early education.
“Going to an English school in Quebec my entire life, I have noticed that our schools just don’t get any funding. [Kids in Quebec typically] all go to French schools because [Legault] only wants kids to go to French schools [….] When I was a kid just starting school, my mom was going to put me into French school, but then she thought that there was not enough English for me to learn because they only do, at least from when I was a kid, roughly three hours of English a week.”
As of 2026, the Quebec government has maintained its 33 per cent tuition hike for out-of-province students enrolling in English universities. This not only discourages out-of-province Canadian students from attending top institutions like McGill, but also puts a financial strain on the university due to decreased application rates. By attempting to maintain a francophone majority, the government has instrumentalized and abused educational institutions to reestablish a narrow Quebec identity.
Legault will remain the official Premier of Quebec until the election of his successor in April of 2026. The consensus on campus is clear: The CAQ must reevaluate its priorities and put forth a candidate ready to confront longstanding systemic issues in the province, from its healthcare shortage, the housing crisis, and a struggling education sector.
