After the Parti Québécois returned to the opposition benches after the 1985 elections, he was the Deputy Opposition House Leader from 1985 to 1987 and 1989 to 1994 and the Opposition House Leader from 1987 to 1989.
Following the Parti Québécois' return to the opposition after the 1985 elections, he held various leadership positions, including Deputy Opposition House Leader from 1985 to 1987 and again from 1989 to 1994, and served as Opposition House Leader from 1987 to 1989.