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.
After the Parti Québécois regained its position in the opposition following the 1985 elections, he served as Deputy Opposition House Leader from 1985 to 1987 and again from 1989 to 1994, and held the role of Opposition House Leader from 1987 to 1989.