A member of Quebec's provincial legislature is facing serious charges following an overnight incident in the Saguenay region. François Tremblay, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) Member of the National Assembly for the Dubuc riding, has been arrested for impaired driving, according to multiple media reports confirmed on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
The Incident and Arrest Details
Saguenay police confirmed they arrested a man in his mid-50s in the early hours of Thursday morning. The arrest occurred at approximately 1:25 a.m. in the La Baie borough of Saguenay. The arrest followed a single-vehicle collision where the man allegedly crashed a car into a fence.
Authorities transported the individual to a police station for a breathalyzer test. The results were damning: the test revealed a blood-alcohol concentration nearly double the legal limit of 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. Police reported that no one was injured in the crash. The man was subsequently released on a promise to appear in court at a later date.
Political Repercussions and Party Response
While police did not initially publicly name the elected official, several Quebec media outlets identified him as François Tremblay. The CAQ party whip, François Jacques, swiftly issued a statement acknowledging the situation.
"This is a very serious situation," the statement read. It further indicated that "no path is excluded" regarding potential consequences, but the party would take time to gather all facts before determining any course of action.
François Tremblay was first elected as the CAQ MNA for Dubuc in 2018. At the time of his arrest, he was serving as the parliamentary assistant to Benoit Charette, the Minister responsible for Infrastructure. This position adds a layer of scrutiny to the incident, as it involves a figure closely associated with the government's ministerial operations.
Context and What Comes Next
Impaired driving charges carry significant legal penalties and profound political consequences for public officials. The incident places immediate pressure on the CAQ government, which must now navigate the fallout involving one of its own caucus members.
The case will proceed through the judicial system, while internally, the CAQ must decide on potential disciplinary measures. These could range from a suspension from caucus duties to a call for resignation, depending on the party's assessment and the legal developments.
This event marks a significant personal and professional crisis for Tremblay and presents a challenge for the governing party, emphasizing the heightened accountability expected of elected representatives.
