Minister Mathieu Lacombe departs after four years steering Quebec's cultural agenda
Lacombe, who announced his departure late June, steered the audiovisual strategy, oversaw the Riopelle space opening, and navigated the arts-sector crisis.
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Quebec Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe is stepping down from politics after four years steering the cultural portfolio—half of his political career devoted to culture alone.
Lacombe announced his departure in late June. Over his tenure, he piloted the province's audiovisual strategy through 2031, which came with a $610 million budget over five years announced two weeks before his exit. He also stewarded the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec through a budget increase, oversaw the opening of the Espace Riopelle at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, and navigated the crisis in Quebec's performing arts sector.
Had he remained, Lacombe told Le Devoir he would have wanted to modernize the province's broadcasting laws—transforming what he called an "absolutely obsolete" cinéma law into a broader audiovisuel framework, and overhauling Télé-Québec's legislation. He also identified two unfinished priorities: a government strategy for the music sector (which he notes provides the daily soundtrack for Quebecers' lives) and regulation of artificial intelligence as it affects artists' intellectual property.
One area Lacombe acknowledges fell short: heritage protection. Historic buildings continue to be demolished weekly across the province, and an inventory of heritage-valued properties was only 60 per cent complete as of April 1, despite time and budget allocated. "When we talk about patrimoine, it's a shared responsibility," between Quebec and municipal regional councils, Lacombe said, adding he believes the province fulfilled its part.
