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Michelle Courchesne

Michelle Courchesne is a Quebec politician and former cabinet minister who represented the riding of Fabre in the National Assembly of Quebec from 2003 to 2012.

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

Michelle Courchesne is a Canadian politician from Quebec who served as a member of the National Assembly for Fabre from 2003 to 2012. A senior member of the Quebec Liberal Party, she held several cabinet positions including Minister of Education, President of the Treasury Board, and Deputy Premier of Quebec under Premier Jean Charest.

Early life and education

Michelle Courchesne was born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, in 1953. She studied at the Université de Montréal, earning a degree in sociology and a master’s degree in urbanism.

Political career

Courchesne entered the National Assembly in 2003 as the MNA for Fabre. During her time in office, she became one of the most prominent members of the Quebec Liberal government.

Cabinet responsibilities

She held several senior ministerial portfolios, including Education, Immigration, Employment and Social Solidarity, and the Treasury Board. She also served as Deputy Premier of Quebec.

Retirement from politics

Courchesne announced in 2012 that she would not run in the next provincial election. Her departure ended a nine-year career in the National Assembly.

Key facts

  • First elected in 2003 as the Liberal MNA for Fabre.
  • Held multiple cabinet posts in Jean Charest’s government, including Education and the Treasury Board.
  • Served as Deputy Premier of Quebec.
  • Did not seek re-election in the 2012 Quebec general election.
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Canadian context

She is a prominent figure in Quebec provincial politics and a former senior minister in the Quebec government, making her relevant to Canadian readers interested in provincial governance and political history.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Michelle Courchesne?
Michelle Courchesne is a former Quebec Liberal politician who served as an MNA for Fabre and held several cabinet posts in the provincial government.
What riding did Michelle Courchesne represent?
She represented the riding of Fabre in Laval, Quebec.
What ministerial roles did she hold?
She served as Minister of Education, Minister responsible for the Laval region, Minister of Immigration, Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity, and President of the Treasury Board.
Did Michelle Courchesne serve as Deputy Premier?
Yes. She served as Deputy Premier of Quebec while in Jean Charest’s government.
When did Michelle Courchesne leave politics?
She announced in 2012 that she would not seek re-election in the Quebec general election.

References

  1. National Assembly of Québec — https://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/deputes/courchesne-michelle-859/biographie.html
    Supports: Birthplace, education, and official biography details.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Courchesne
    Supports: Summary of offices held, party affiliation, riding, and term in office.
  3. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Courchesne
    Supports: Election to the National Assembly and announcement that she would not run in 2012.
  4. Le Devoir — https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/438297/proches-aidants-l-autre-combat-de-michelle-courchesne
    Supports: Later public role noted after political career.