On Friday, 7 August 2026, Jean‑François Cloutier, a reporter for the Journal de Montréal, publicly declared his intention to run as the Parti Québécois candidate for the provincial riding of Montarville. The announcement was made at 14:42 GMT and marks his first entry into electoral politics.
Cloutier, whose career has been spent covering news for the Montreal‑based newspaper, said he will seek to represent Montarville, a riding located on the South Shore of Montreal in the province of Quebec. The move shifts him from the newsroom to the campaign trail as he aligns with the Parti Québécois, a party that has historically advocated for Quebec sovereignty and participates in provincial elections across the province.
Montarville is a provincial electoral district that includes a number of suburban communities on the South Shore. The riding has been contested by the major provincial parties in previous elections, and the upcoming contest will see the Parti Québécois field Cloutier as its official candidate.
Cloutier’s transition from journalism to candidacy is presented as a professional shift rather than a continuation of his reporting work. While no policy platform has been released, his background in covering local issues may inform his approach to representing the constituents of Montarville.
The provincial election in which the Montarville seat will be decided is scheduled for later in the year, with multiple parties expected to present candidates. Cloutier’s entry adds a media professional to the slate of contenders, expanding the range of experiences represented among those seeking the seat.