Bernard Drainville
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Political Career
Drainville transitioned to provincial politics in the 2007 Quebec general election, where he was elected as a Parti Québécois (PQ) member for the Marie-Victorin riding in Longueuil. He served as the party’s Health Critic and was re-elected in both the 2008 and 2012 elections. On September 19, 2012, he was appointed Minister responsible for Democratic Institutions and Active Citizenship in the Pauline Marois government. In that role, he tabled the proposed Quebec Charter of Values in 2013.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 6 Jun, 1963
- Age
- 56 yrs
- Occupations
- Journalist
Television presenter
Politician
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- Citizenship
- Canada
- Birth Place
- La Visitation-de-l'Île-Dupas
- Education
- London School of Economics and Political Science
University of Ottawa - Gender
- Male
- Description
- Canadian politician
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Selected for this profile
He was re-elected in 2014 and ran for the PQ leadership, withdrawing in April 2015 to endorse Pierre Karl Péladeau. He later served as Opposition House Leader before leaving politics in June 2016 to work as a radio host and political commentator, including on FM93 in Quebec City and 98.5 FM.
Drainville returned to politics with the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) and was elected MNA for Lévis in October 2022. He served as Minister of Education from October 2022 and as Minister of the Environment from September 2025. In 2026, he finished second to Christine Fréchette in the CAQ leadership race and was then named Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy in April 2026. He lost his Lévis seat to Conservative candidate Karine Laflamme in the Quebec general election of October 5, 2026.
Early Political Involvement
Before holding elected office, Drainville was involved in student and parliamentary affairs. From 1985 to 1986, he was active in the Canadian Federation of Students in Ontario. He also participated in the Parliamentary Internship Program at the House of Commons from 1987 to 1988, gaining firsthand experience in Canadian federal politics.
Multifaceted Contributions
Bernard Drainville is widely recognized as a versatile figure who has excelled in journalism, broadcasting, and politics. Over the years, he has taken on multiple roles, including reporter, anchor, interviewer, bureau chief, and political correspondent. His work has not only shaped public discourse but also garnered him numerous accolades, positioning him as a prominent voice in Canadian public life.
