By Vittorio Hernandez

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Quebec Premier Jean Charest reshuffled his cabinet, a day after Deputy Premier Nathalie Normandeau unexpectedly resigned.

Normandeau, 43, said she quit her post for personal reason. She said that political life is very demanding and she wanted to do other things, including have a more private life away from the public eye.

She had been criticized for her support of the shale gas industry and also questioned over her personal relationship with a controversial former Montreal police chief.

Charest named another female legislator, Education Minister Line Beauchamp, as deputy premier. He appointed Economic Development Minister Clement Gignac to take over Normandeau's natural resources portfolio and the Plan Nord job. Beauchamp retained her education portfolio.

In turn, Gignac will be replaced by Transport Minister Sam Hamad, who will be replaced by Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Pierre Moreau. Replacing Moreau is Yves Vallieres, the former speaker of the Quebec legislature.

Normandeau became a provincial legislator in 1998 and had been appointed to several cabinet positions since 2009. She was also Quebec's minister of natural resources, and was responsible for the Plan Nord investment program and the GaspellesdelaMadeleine region.

Charest said the reorganization would allow him to focus on Quebec's economy, which is the province's priority.

 

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World - Charest Reshuffles Cabinet After Quebec Deputy Premier Quits | Global Viewpoint