Legault desires an additional five-year term.
Premier Legault Aims for 12 Years in Power Amid Housing Crisis, Infrastructure Concerns
In a candid speech, Quebec Premier François Legault expressed his intent to serve another five years, aiming for a total of 12 years in office, starting from 2018. The premier made these remarks during the 2025 Assembly of the Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) in Quebec City.
However, recent surveys place the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) in third place, trailing behind the Parti Québécois and the Liberal Party of Quebec. These surveys also revealed that 61% of Quebecers are dissatisfied with the government.
Housing Woes and Infrastructure Gaps
The premier faced a cool reception from municipalities at the Assembly on Thursday morning. Mayor Guillaume Tremblay, the new UMQ president, stressed that a housing issue is persisting due to insufficient funding for municipal infrastructure. Tremblay claimed that cities aren't building houses because the aqueducts don't reach, which he pointed out has stalled the construction of 36,000 homes - equivalent to Drummondville in population.
In response, Premier Legault acknowledged that municipal transfers had grown by 42% since 2018, while revenues had only climbed by 27%. However, he asserted that housing shortages stemmed from the influx of temporary immigrants.
The Future of Municipal Infrastructure
To address these concerns, the municipal lobby is initiating a wide consultation on municipal taxation, chaired by two former finance ministers, Monique Jérôme-Forget (Liberal) and Nicolas Marceau (Péquiste). This commission will also count on the expertise of Luc Godbout and Tommy Gagné-Dubé. Their recommendations will be presented at the 2026 Municipal Assembly.
While Legault's specific municipal infrastructure plans remain elusive, his housing policy is centered around addressing the province's affordability issues by increasing supply, streamlining development approvals, and encouraging construction of affordable units. Nationally, this approach reflects a broader Canadian emphasis on supply growth to stabilize housing markets.
The housing supply growth under Legault's policies necessitates the expansion and upgrading of municipal infrastructure, such as transit, roads, water and sewage systems, and public facilities to accommodate population growth. However, outdated zoning laws in Quebec’s municipalities have historically slowed development, necessitating reform for denser, mixed-use developments that require municipalities to invest in upgrading and expanding services commensurate with higher density.
In summary, Premier Legault's emphasis on affordable housing policy creates significant implications for municipal infrastructure, requiring coordinated efforts between provincial and municipal governments to align housing development with resilient, inclusive infrastructure planning and investment. Failure to do so risks overwhelming existing infrastructure and straining cities' resources.
Also read: Quebec Premier François Legault’s housing policy overview
Suggested for you: Impact of housing policies on Quebec’s municipal infrastructure
To watch in video: The future of Quebec's infrastructure in the face of housing growth
- Despite the political aspirations of Premier Legault for a 12-year tenure, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) is currently facing dissatisfaction from Quebecers, as revealed in recent surveys.
- The ongoing housing crisis and infrastructure gaps in Quebec are leading to a call for change in municipal policy-and-legislation, as evidenced by the wide consultation on municipal taxation initiated by the municipal lobby.
