Quebec’s center-right leader kept key cabinet ministers in place, despite being spoiled for choice after a landslide election victory in Canada’s second-biggest province.

Premier Francois Legault, whose Coalition Avenir Quebec won 90 of 125 seats in the legislature on Oct. 3, reappointed his top two economic lieutenants on Thursday. 

Eric Girard, former treasurer of National Bank of Canada, continues as finance minister, while businessman Pierre Fitzgibbon becomes a so-called economy “super minister,” with the energy portfolio added to his responsibilities. 

He will have to manage growing tensions between the government and the head of the province’s state-owned electric utility. Sophie Brochu, president and chief executive officer of Hydro-Quebec, threatened to leave her post if the government pushes too hard to rush through large industrial projects like developing green hydrogen.

In a speech, Legault tried to calm things down. “I spoke with Sophie Brochu and we share the same goal, to ensure that Hydro-Quebec evolves in an orderly fashion for the benefit of all Quebecers,” he said. He announced the creation of a committee on the economy and energy transition that he will chair.

Sonia LeBel, a lawyer, remains as Treasury Board president, responsible for overseeing government spending and operations. Christian Dube, a former executive vice-president at pension giant Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec, will continue to run the health ministry, which accounts for the largest share of spending in the provincial budget.

Genevieve Guilbault switches from public safety to minister of transport, a role in which she will have to deliver a multibillion-dollar tunnel in the Quebec City area. Benoit Charette stays on as environment minister.

After voters elected women to represent a record 46 per cent of legislative seats, Legault sought to appoint a gender-balanced cabinet. He fell one shy of parity, with 16 men -- including himself -- and 14 women on the front bench.

“We have a very strong team,” said Legault. 

“We will continue to reduce our wealth gap with our neighbors. It is a matter of having means and gaining autonomy,” he said, adding that “we will accelerate the energy transition and decarbonize Quebec.”