QUEBEC CITY — If we compare the Legault administration’s first mandate, we find that some ministers have taken the lead, but that some others feel relieved of their responsibilities.

The one who rose in rank and became the government strongman was Pierre Fitzgibbon, who became responsible for energy while maintaining control of all economic development, including regional development. As a bonus, he will be in charge of Montreal, where the government still has only one minister.

The Minister of the first mandate to suffer the worst demotion is Jean Boulet, who was previously Minister for Immigration, Employment, Social Solidarity and Labour. He only kept the work for the mandate beginning.

Simon Jolin-Barrette, first-term government man-orchestra, remains Speaker of Parliament and Minister of Justice, but loses responsibility for the French language.

Sonia LeBel is still President of the Treasury Board, but she has been relieved of Canadian relations and democratic institution reform.

Christian Dubé had a very large responsibility at the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The department will be divided into two parts and Lionel Carmant will take over the entire social services part.

Isabelle Charest retains sport but lost women’s status.

Andrée Laforest retains community affairs but loses the housing sector.

The case of Jean-François Roberge is a special one. He had to give up one of the most important tasks of the state, education, but is faced with the management of several files that are not necessarily connected: building the brand new French language ministry, managing Canadian relations, secularism and access to information.

The fight against racism file has been withdrawn by Benoît Charette, who will continue his work on the environment, while also dealing with wildlife and parks.

The many Caquiste MPs who feasted on bits during their first term in office in the hope of getting their turn are almost all becoming members of the club of the disappointed and frustrated. Only Christopher Skeete got a seat in the cabinet to fight against racism.

Many chosen recruits, first elected on October 3rd and considered “ministers,” did not get the long-awaited call this week. There are still nine women ministers among these newly elected: Christine Fréchette (Immigration), Bernard Drainville (Education), Pascale Déry (Higher Education), Kateri Champagne Jourdain (Employment), Martine Biron (International Relations and Women), Sonia Bélanger (Senior Citizens), Suzanne Roy (Family), France-Élaine Duranceau (Housing) and Maïté Blanchette Vézina (Natural Resources and Forest).

All first-term ministers running for a second term were re-elected. Only two of them were expelled from the cabinet: Lucie Lecours and Pierre Dufour.

Former culture minister Nathalie Roy has not been appointed to the cabinet, confirming information that she will be the next President of the National Assembly.

The Caquiste Caucus has 90 deputies. The cabinet has 30 ministers, 14 women and 16 men.