After the 2022 provincial election, the Parti Québécois only had three seats in the province’s National Assembly. However, in the latest provincial election, the party significantly increased its representation, securing victory in 59 ridings.
With the upcoming swearing-in ceremony for cabinet ministers on Wednesday, new faces are emerging within the PQ’s ranks. These newly elected MNAs may play pivotal roles in the party’s minority government. Below are profiles of some of these incoming members, highlighting their backgrounds and potential contributions to the party’s agenda.
1st-time MNAs:
Anne Nguyen, a Harvard graduate in business analytics, now represents the Prévost riding in the Laurentians. With expertise in artificial intelligence, she is poised to influence the PQ government’s AI strategy. Nguyen previously served as the director of AI for the Conseil de l’innovation.
Stéphane Handfield, an immigration lawyer for 34 years, has been elected as the MNA for Masson, located in Mascouche. He previously served as the PQ’s immigration critic and ran unsuccessfully in the same riding in the 2022 election.
Stéphane Paquet, the sole PQ MNA on Montreal’s island, won in Pointe-aux-Trembles. With an extensive background at Montreal International, where he served as president and CEO, Paquet is expected to contribute to the party’s economic development initiatives.
Dieudonné Ella Oyono, an economist elected in Les Plaines, is a key figure in the party’s plan to reduce business regulations. Ella Oyono previously ran as a candidate in Montreal’s Saint-Henri-Sainte-Anne riding in 2018 and served as the PQ’s president from 2019 to 2021.
Marie-Claude Sarrazin, a lawyer for nearly 25 years, triumphed in the Groulx riding on Montreal’s North Shore, defeating former CAQ finance minister Eric Girard. Sarrazin’s legal background and experience in high-profile cases make her a notable addition to the PQ’s caucus.
Pierre Nantel, a former NDP MP who shifted to provincial politics, secured victory in the Argenteuil riding. Nantel previously contested and lost in the Marie-Victorin seat during the 2022 byelection and general election.
Back for 2nd stints at the National Assembly:
Alain Therrien, representing the Sanguinet riding for the second time, previously held the seat from 2012 to 2018 before losing to the CAQ’s Danielle McCann. Therrien also has experience as a Bloc Québécois representative in the House of Commons.
Nicolas Marceau, a former finance minister during Pauline Marois’s tenure, returns as an MNA after representing the Rousseau riding from 2009 to 2018. Marceau’s financial expertise and party history position him as a key player in the PQ’s economic policies.
Elsie Lefebvre, now representing the Berthier riding, previously served as a PQ MNA for Laurier-Dorion and a city councillor for Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension. Her diverse political experience and media background enhance her contributions to the PQ’s agenda.
From municipal to provincial politics:
Diane Dallaire, a former mayor of Rouyn-Noranda, transitioned to provincial politics as the MNA for Rouyn-Noranda-Témiscamingue after opting out of the 2025 municipal elections.
Bernard Sévigny, who served as Sherbrooke’s mayor from 2009 to 2017, secured victory in the Richmond riding. Sévigny’s municipal leadership experience and ties to prominent political figures position him as a significant asset to the PQ.
Véronique Venne, previously the mayor of Sainte-Marie-Salomé, now represents Joliette. With over a decade of municipal leadership, Venne brings valuable governance experience to her new role as an MNA.
Sébastien D’Astous, former mayor of Amos, successfully won the Abitibi-Ouest riding. Despite previous unsuccessful bids with other parties, D’Astous’s municipal expertise and perseverance have now led to his election as an MNA.