There's a report suggesting outgoing health minister Gaétan Barrette may try to become the next Leader of the Opposition at the National Assembly — provided, of course, the defeated Liberal premier, Philippe Couillard, steps down.
The francophone arm of the Canadian Press quotes an anonymous, "reliable" source with that information — though the report goes on to suggest Barrette won't have much support among his surviving Liberal colleagues.
Some, according to the report, find his personal style too abrasive, while others blame him and his spotty performance as health minister for Monday's resounding Liberal defeat.
In his concession speech Monday night, Couillard told Liberal supporters he would take "a few days" to ponder his political future. The report suggests it's a virtual certainty that he'll quit the Liberal leadership, and that those looking to replace him as interim leader are starting to jockey for position.
The report names two likely candidates to take over the job while a leadership convention is organized — outgoing cabinet ministers Christine St. Pierre and Pierre Arcand.
Interim leaders are generally considered to be out of the running for the permanent leader's job.