Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Premier

François Legault

François Legault is a Canadian politician and businessman who served as the 32nd premier of Quebec from 2018 to 2026.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

François Legault is a Canadian politician and businessman who served as the 32nd premier of Quebec from 2018 to 2026. He co-founded the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) and led the party from its creation in 2011 until his resignation in 2026.

What it is

François Legault is a former premier of Quebec and a founding member of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), a provincial political party. He was born on May 26, 1957, in Lachine, Quebec, and worked as a businessman and chartered accountant before entering politics, notably co-founding Air Transat.

Key details

Legault became premier in October 2018 after the CAQ won government, serving until 2026. He led the CAQ from 2011 to 2026 and is married to Isabelle Brais, with two children. His tenure shaped debates on language, identity, and governance in Quebec.

Why it matters

Legault is a major figure in Quebec and Canadian provincial politics. His leadership of the CAQ influenced key policy areas, including language laws and Quebec's relationship with the rest of Canada, making him a central player in national discussions.

In short

  • François Legault served as Quebec's 32nd premier from 2018 to 2026.
  • He co-founded the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) and led it from 2011 to 2026.
  • Before politics, he co-founded Air Transat and worked as a chartered accountant.
  • He is married to Isabelle Brais and has two children.
Canadian angle

Legault is a major figure in Quebec and Canadian provincial politics, and his leadership of the CAQ shaped debates on language, identity, and governance in Quebec.

Quick questions

Who is François Legault?
François Legault is a Canadian politician and businessman who served as premier of Quebec from 2018 to 2026 and led the Coalition Avenir Québec.
What party is François Legault from?
He is from the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), which he helped found.
When did François Legault become premier?
He became premier of Quebec in October 2018.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Legault
    Supports: Birth date, party, role as premier, and spouse
  2. National Assembly of Québec — https://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/deputes/legault-francois-4131/biographie.html
    Supports: Biography, office, family status, and political role
  3. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/francois-legault-life-career-politics-9.7045936
    Supports: Political career overview and resignation context
  4. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3085147
    Supports: Birth date, spouse, and marriage information
  5. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/14/world/americas/quebec-leader-resignation.html
    Supports: Resignation timing and CAQ leadership context