Quebec cabinet minister Laurent Lessard decides to not seek re-election this year

QUEBEC — A seventh member of Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard’s Liberal cabinet has announced he won’t seek re-election later this year.

Agriculture Minister Laurent Lessard says the decision is driven by family reasons.

Lessard, 55, has been a member of the legislature since 2003 and has also been responsible for the Labour, Municipal Affairs, Transport and Forestry departments.

He is a notary by training and served as Thetford-Mines mayor between 1999 and 2003.