It is the proper functioning of the National Assembly that is at stake if the Parti Québécois (PQ) and Québec solidaire (QS) do not obtain the status of a parliamentary group, believes Joël Arseneau.
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A “denial of democracy” is to be feared if the PQ and QS are not recognized, when they represent nearly 30% of the electorate, according to the deputy from the Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
Nevertheless, Mr. Arseneau ensures that he is not worried regarding the fate of his political party. He recalls that all the parties are used to agreeing to adjust the parliamentary rules at the start of a mandate, depending on the election results.
“We are not at a first precedent compared to the general rule of 20% and 12 deputies”, he indicates.
For the time being, each of the political parties is examining the results of the ballot. “Afterwards, we will start working in consensus to find a solution that is acceptable. […]. We will appeal to the sense of responsibility of the government and the Liberal Party for recognition of the popular vote.”
During the negotiations, the PQ will maintain that the recognition of third parties is necessary so that parliamentary work “can be carried out smoothly”. Its representatives will plead that the presence of 14 independent deputies would risk considerably weighing down question periods and parliamentary committees.
“It is really the functioning of our National Assembly which is compromised, and I think that all the parties know it very well”, he warns.
They will also argue that a “denial of democracy” is to be feared if the PQ and QS are not recognized when they represent nearly 30% of the people who voted in the last elections.
The regulations of the National Assembly provide that it is necessary to have at least 12 deputies or 20% of the popular vote to enjoy the rank of parliamentary group, which allows the parties to obtain an adequate operating budget as well as more speaking time in bedroom.
For several years, negotiations have taken place to grant these advantages to the parties even if they do not fulfill the conditions provided for by the regulations. This kind of accommodation requires the agreement of all political parties.
For now, all parties are in favor of recognizing the PQ and QS, except the Liberals, who first ask François Legault to commit to reforming the voting system.
