QUEBEC - Quebec's popular health minister is switching ridings ahead of the next provincial election, which is expected to be called in the coming weeks.
Philippe Couillard announced Sunday that he will run in the Quebec City riding of Jean-Talon instead of the Montreal riding he currently represents.
The move comes as recent polls show Action democratique du Quebec support increasing in the Quebec City area.
Youth Protection Minister Margaret Delisle, who has represented Jean-Talon since 1994, declared last week that she was leaving politics for health reasons.
"Students, the elderly and young families... can count on my support in the issues they at heart,'' Couillard told supporters Sunday in Quebec City.
Couillard has consistently been one of the more popular members of Liberal Premier Jean Charest's cabinet, and Jean-Talon is considered a bastion of Liberal support.
The riding has voted Liberal ever since it was created in 1966.
Though he can wait until 2008, Charest is widely expected to call an election by the end of the month.
