Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard has shuffled his cabinet following the resignation of his transport minister Friday afternoon.

It's the fifth shuffle since Couillard was elected in 2014.

Veteran politician Laurent Lessard will replace Jacques Daoust as transport minister, while Luc Blanchette will take over Lessard's duties as minister of forests, wildlife and parks.

"It's not something that is unseen in politics. You see this everywhere. What is important in terms of stability is that our government's plan remains the same," said the premier. 

Daoust, 68, had faced mounting criticism in recent months over his alleged role in authorizing the sale of a Quebec hardware chain while he was the province's economy minister.

Although Daoust maintained he didn't know about Investissement Quebec's decision to sell its shares in Rona, emails sent in 2014 and obtained by TVA suggested the vice-president of the provincial investment agency had been given the go-ahead from Daoust's former chief of staff.

CAQ house leader Francois Bonnardel does not believe Daoust's statements that the minister did not approve of the sale. 

"I cannot understand that only Mr. Ouellet (Daoust's former chief of staff Pierre Ouellet) has taken on his shoulder the decision te sell $144 million of actions, of stock actions," said Bonnardel. 

On Sunday, the CAQ delivered its official request to the president of the Labour Commission to hear from Ouellet at upcoming hearings. 

Daoust announced he was leaving politics late Friday afternoon, hours after Couillard indicated the minister no longer had his full confidence.

The premier says he has full confidence in Lessard to handle the transportation portfolio.

"Mr. Lessard brings a lot of experience as a parliamentarian, as a minister. Now he's holding his fifth ministerial cabinet position. He is very much in touch with the population of Quebec," said Couillard.

Lessard said his first order of business will be to speak to the mayors of Montreal and Quebec City to discuss ongoing roadwork.

On Thursday, there will be a special parliamentary committee hearing to discuss the Rona sale and just how it happened.

The opposition says Daoust's former chief of staff is a key figure, and they want him to be there to answer their questions.