Yves Bolduc, Quebec education minister, quits politics

Quebec Education Minister Yves Bolduchas announced he's leaving provincial politics.

"I took the personal decision to return to my medical practice,"Bolduc said in a brief statement to reporters Thursday morning, while standing alongside Premier Philippe Couillard.

"It was my own decision."

Couillard said he accepted Bolduc's decision "with sadness" and thanked him for his service.

He will receive a transitional allowance package worth approximately$150,000.

Bolduc, theLiberalMNAforJean-Talon, a riding in the Quebec City region,was given the education dossier byCouillard in April 2014.

During his short tenure,Bolducwas embroiled in a number of controversies, most recently for stating he had no problem with high schools strip searching students.

Bolduc also came under firefor saying schools don't need morelibrary books, and for receivinga $215,000 bonus while working as a doctor for 19 months between political appointments.

He had previously served as the province's health minister between 2008 and 2012.

Bolduc departure comes after a week of speculation over a possible cabinet shuffle in the province'sNational Assembly.

Earlier this week, Couillardhad refused toconfirmrumours of Bolduc's departure, but hadn't done much to put an end to them either.

On Tuesday, Couillard did notanswer directly when asked if he still had confidence in his education minister.

"I'm very happy with the way with the government is working right now," he said.

There was no immediate word on Bolduc'sreplacement, though a cabinet shuffle was expected by Friday.