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Andrée Laforest

Andrée Laforest is a Canadian politician from Quebec who has served as a member of the National Assembly of Quebec for Chicoutimi since 2018.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Andrée Laforest is a Canadian politician from Quebec who has served as a member of the National Assembly of Quebec for Chicoutimi since 2018. A member of the Coalition Avenir Québec, she has held cabinet roles including minister of municipal affairs and minister responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.

Early life and education

Laforest was born in Chicoutimi, Quebec. She studied natural sciences at Cégep de Chicoutimi and earned a bachelor’s degree in primary and preschool education from Université du Québec à Chicoutimi.

Career before politics

Before entering elected office, she worked as a primary-school teacher and later operated businesses in childcare and retail in Chicoutimi and Alma.

Political career

Laforest was elected to the National Assembly of Quebec in 2018 for Chicoutimi under the Coalition Avenir Québec. She was re-elected in 2022 and served in cabinet, including as minister of municipal affairs.

Municipal affairs and regional responsibilities

She held the municipal affairs portfolio during two successive governments and also served as the minister responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.

2025 mayoral campaign

In 2025, Laforest resigned from the National Assembly to run for mayor of Saguenay. Media reports at the time identified her as a former cabinet minister and municipal affairs minister.

Key facts

  • Elected as the CAQ member for Chicoutimi in the 2018 Quebec general election.
  • Re-elected in the 2022 Quebec general election.
  • Served as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing from 2018 to 2022.
  • Served as Minister of Municipal Affairs from 2022 until her resignation as an MNA in September 2025.
  • Resigned from the National Assembly in 2025 to run for mayor of Saguenay.
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Canadian context

Laforest is a Quebec provincial politician, and her career is especially relevant to readers interested in Quebec governance, municipal affairs, and the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Andrée Laforest?
She is a Quebec politician and former businesswoman who represented Chicoutimi in the National Assembly from 2018 to 2025.
What party does Andrée Laforest belong to?
She is a member of the Coalition Avenir Québec.
What offices did she hold in cabinet?
She served as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, then as Minister of Municipal Affairs, and also as minister responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.
When was she first elected?
She was first elected to the National Assembly in the 2018 provincial election.
What did she do before politics?
She worked as a teacher and later ran childcare and retail businesses in the Chicoutimi area.
Did she run for mayor of Saguenay?
Yes. She resigned from the National Assembly in 2025 to run for mayor of Saguenay.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9e_Laforest
    Supports: Election to the National Assembly, party affiliation, riding, and cabinet positions.
  2. National Assembly of Québechttps://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/deputes/laforest-andree-17913/biographie.html
    Supports: Birthplace, education, pre-political career, election history, cabinet roles, resignation, and mayoral candidacy.
  3. National Assembly of Québechttps://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/deputes/laforest-andree-17913/index.html
    Supports: Current and past legislative and ministerial roles.
  4. Gouvernement du Québechttps://www.quebec.ca/gouvernement/gouvernement-ouvert/transparence-performance/agenda-membres-conseil-ministres/laforest-andree
    Supports: Dates and titles of ministerial responsibilities.
  5. Radio-Canadahttps://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1130548/nomination-ministre-andree-laforest-assemblee-nationale
    Supports: 2018 cabinet appointment and background as a businesswoman and mother.
  6. CTV Newshttps://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/minister-andree-laforest-leaving-the-caq-to-run-for-mayor-of-saguenay/
    Supports: 2025 resignation from CAQ government to run for mayor of Saguenay.