Assembly of First Nations vote Francis Verreault-Paul as Quebec-Labrador grand chief

MONTREAL – Francis Verreault-Paul has been elected the new regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations for Quebec and Labrador.

Verreault-Paul takes over from Ghislain Picard, who decided not to run again after 33 years in the role.

The 37-year-old beat out three other candidates in a vote held during a meeting in Lac-Beauport, Que., on Tuesday.

The chiefs of the 43 communities represented by the assembly were eligible to vote.

Verreault-Paul is from the Innu community of Mashteuiatsh in Quebec’s Lac-St-Jean region, and before his election he served as chief of staff at the assembly.

In a statement after his victory, Verreault-Paul pledged to be a unifying leader.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2025.

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