OTTAWA — Joël Lightbound has been appointed as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new Quebec lieutenant, a position he will hold alongside his duties as minister of government transformation, public works, and procurement. At 37, Lightbound's political journey has been marked by bold decisions and a history of unpredictability.

Lightbound first gained attention in 2017 when he joined a protest in Lévis supporting Davie shipyard workers. The demonstration criticized Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government for not providing enough contracts to the shipyard, which was facing significant job losses. Frédérick Boisvert, then vice president of public affairs for Davie, expressed surprise at Lightbound's presence, noting, "When Joël appeared in the picture, I’ll admit that a few people felt their jaw drop." Lightbound quickly connected with the protesters, promising to advocate for the shipbuilding industry in Quebec.

Jean-Yves Duclos, a fellow Liberal MP, recalled the event, stating he encouraged Lightbound to attend the march, as he could not do so himself due to his cabinet position. Duclos described Lightbound's participation as a "bold" move that showcased his courage. Boisvert praised Lightbound as a fierce advocate for the Davie shipyard, which eventually became part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) in 2023, securing billions in federal contracts.

Lightbound's political career began in 2013 when he left a law firm in Montreal to seek the Liberal nomination in Louis-Hébert, a risky move at a time when the party was struggling in the polls. He won the nomination and his seat, contributing to Trudeau's majority government in 2015. Although he did not initially join the cabinet, he served in various roles, including parliamentary secretary from 2017 to 2021.

His political trajectory took a turn during the Freedom Convoy protests in 2022 when he publicly criticized his government for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated, "Not everyone can earn a living on a MacBook at a cottage," which led to his resignation as chair of the Quebec Liberal caucus amid backlash from colleagues. Following this, he focused on his role as chair of the House of Commons industry and technology committee.

In a significant shift, Lightbound called for Trudeau to step down as leader after Chrystia Freeland resigned as finance minister. He expressed dissatisfaction with the government's direction and claimed Trudeau was not listening to his caucus. Lightbound later supported Carney in the Liberal leadership race and was appointed to cabinet after the spring election.

As Procurement Minister, he announced that Canada Post would end door-to-door delivery due to significant financial losses, a decision that received some criticism but was largely accepted. This week, he succeeded Steven Guilbeault as Quebec lieutenant following Guilbeault's resignation over a controversial oil pipeline deal with Alberta.

Lightbound emphasized the importance of effectively communicating Quebec's interests in Ottawa. "The role of Quebec lieutenant is to communicate well with Quebecers, but most importantly, to get the interests of Quebec relayed properly in Ottawa," he stated. He aims to focus on job development in the defense sector and critical minerals while addressing cost-of-living issues.

As he steps into this role, Lightbound faces challenges, including the rising influence of the separatist Parti Québécois, which may seek to form a majority government next year. Duclos believes Lightbound will be crucial in demonstrating the benefits of Canada to Quebecers and vice versa. Boisvert noted that Lightbound is not one to shy away from challenges, stating, "He doesn’t hate getting into a good fight but also doesn’t seek that." Lightbound's advocacy for the Davie shipyard may foreshadow his future efforts to navigate the complexities of Quebec's political landscape.