Education Minister Yves Bolduc announced his resignation from politics after meeting with Premier Philippe Couillard Thursday morning.
Bolduc said, "I took the personal decision to return to my medical practice.”
Couillard said that he accepted his “friend’s resignation” and was “stunned and saddened” by the announcement. He thanked Bolduc and wished him well.
Bolduc will receive a $150,000 severance bonus for his nearly seven years as an MNA and minister.
During his time as a Liberal minister, Bolduc has had a checkered political career.
Earlier in February, he defended the practice of strip-searching high school students if it was done in a "respectful" manner. Later Couillard intervened and requested an independent report in the strip search case, saying there is “no question” of strip searches in schools without parents being called or being present during the search.
Bolduc was also under fire for another comment made in August 2014 when he said that schools have enough books. He told Le Devoir newspaper that no child would die or stop reading because there are fewer books in school libraries.
In July 2014, he defended his $215,000 bonus, which he earned when he was practicing medicine while a member of the National Assembly. Later he said he would give the money to charity.
Bolduc’s replacement will be named Friday.
