Quebec Justice Minister Stphanie Valle won't seek re-election

Quebec Justice Minister Stphanie Valle, the Liberal MNA for Gatineau and point person on the province's controversial face-covering law, will not be running in the provincial election next fall.

The high-profile member of the Quebec Liberalshas represented her riding since 2007.

She is the first member of Premier Philippe Couillard's cabinet to announce she won't be up for re-election on Oct.1.

As justice minister, Vallewas the target of criticism forthe government'scontroversial face-covering ban, Bill 62.

She also had to deal withdelays in the justice system after the Jordan decision, which set guidelines for when a case should be thrown out over delays.

As a cabinet minister from the Outaouais, she's faced frustration from area residents over the response to last spring's severe flooding.

Valle denied those controversies played a role in her decision to quit politics.

"They didn't have anything to do with it at all,"she told a news conference Wednesday.

"I want to spend more time with my family and spouse. It's as simple as that."

Five Liberal members have declared they won't run again while six others are currently in reflection.

A number of high profile members of the Parti Qubcoishave also announced they won't run again.

The Liberals currently hold 69 of the 125 seats at the legislature.