Montreal, August 7th, 2026 – The Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT) announced today that James Hughes is stepping down as President and Chair of its Board of Directors to pursue a candidacy in the upcoming provincial election.

As PERT’s founding President, Mr. Hughes has provided leadership and guidance to the organization since its establishment, helping advance its mission to address the employment and employability challenges facing Québec’s English-speaking community.

“Serving as President of the Provincial Employment Roundtable has been a great honour. I am proud of the work PERT has accomplished and grateful to the staff, board members, partners and stakeholders who have contributed to the organization’s growth and impact,” said Mr. Hughes.

The Board of Directors extends its sincere thanks to Mr. Hughes for his leadership, commitment and contribution to PERT. His support has helped strengthen the organization’s work to bring together stakeholders from across Québec to advance greater labour market inclusion.

The Board of Directors will elect a new President in the coming weeks to guide the organization through its next chapter.

PERT wishes to emphasize that it is a non-partisan organization and does not support or endorse any political party. Mr. Hughes’s decision is a personal one.  

This transition will have no impact on PERT’s ongoing operations, partnerships or commitment to advancing employment and employability opportunities for Québec’s English-speaking community. The organization’s work continues under the leadership of its Board of Directors, a dedicated staff, and partners across Québec.