The resumption of work gave way to the election of the new president of the National Assembly, the member for Montarville, Nathalie Roy.
The former Minister of Culture and Communications is the second woman to hold this position after Louise Harel (2002-2003). She was appointed by the dean of the National Assembly, the deputy for Drummond–Bois-Francs, Sébastien Schneeberger.
There were no other candidates running for the presidency of the National Assembly. Ms. Roy was therefore elected unopposed.
Ms. Roy, who is 58 years old, is in her fourth term in the National Assembly. She is a lawyer by training, but she mainly practiced as a television journalist before entering politics in 2012, wearing the colors of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ). She was part of the first cohort of deputies who presented themselves under the banner of this party founded in 2011 by the current Prime Minister, François Legault.
It is a very great honor that you do me
affirmed Ms. Roy straight away, who said she wanted to all in his power
to be up to this task.
I will be the defender of your rights and privileges and I will exercise this function with all the passion that you know me
launched Ms. Roy to the deputies present at the Blue Room.
I will also be the protector of the institution […] with its traditions, its laws and its jurisprudence
said Ms. Roy.
Presiding over the National Assembly, presiding over the debates of the elected representatives of the people of Quebec, is a great privilege.
agreed Prime Minister François Legault. But I think for you, Madam Chair, it was a logical next step in your career.
Thank you for accepting this challenge […]which will not always be a calm river
said Liberal Opposition Leader Marc Tanguay. You can count on the official opposition not to add too much vagueness to the debates, which can sometimes be heated
he launched.
Finally, this parliamentary session begins. It will be short but productive
for his part indicated the co-spokesperson of Québec solidaire (QS), Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, who took the opportunity to salute the former President of the National Assembly, François Paradis, whose mandate under the previous legislature was punctuated by heated debates and by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her new role, Ms. Roy is surrounded by three vice-presidents. Chantal Soucy, MNA for Saint-Hyacinthe, is first vice-president, and Sylvain Lévesque, elected in Chauveau, is second vice-president. The role of third vice-president, a position reserved for a member of the official opposition, is occupied by Frantz Benjamin, Liberal MNA for Viau.
The three roles of the President of the National Assembly
First of all, the President of the National Assembly must arbitrate the debates and ensure the smooth running of the work by applying the rules of the Assembly. It also oversees the development of this regulation.
The President is also responsible for administering the services of the Assembly. It responds to the needs of Members, communicates with the leaders and whips of the various parliamentary groups and prepares a budget. The presidency is responsible in particular for the security of property and people within the precincts of the National Assembly.
Finally, the President represents the National Assembly, particularly on the international scene, and maintains links with other parliaments around the world. It promotes democratic values and publicizes the work of Members.
The three PQ MPs absent
During the first CAQ mandate, Ms. Roy had the reputation of sometimes yielding to partisanship, but her new position implies a duty of neutrality and impartiality. She will therefore have to ensure that each member has a place in the House and can be heard. It must also have the confidence of the elected representatives of the three other parliamentary groups, otherwise its decisions will be challenged.
Ms. Roy will have to quickly learn her trade since she should be called upon to speak out from the start on delicate subjects, in particular the fate that will be devolved to the three members of the Parti Québécois (PQ), who have not taken the oath to King Charles III.
When the new President of the National Assembly was appointed, the three deputies of the PQ were absent. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon therefore did not return Nathalie Roy to her seat with the leaders of the other parliamentary groups, as is tradition.
As for the decision of the outgoing President of the National Assembly, François Paradis, toexclude the three deputies from the PQ of the Blue Salon if they do not take an oath to the kingMr. Nadeau-Dubois said he hoped that the new president would take this decision under advisement.
The presidency of the National Assembly will also have to determine what place will be given to the leader of the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ), Éric Duhaime. He was not elected in the last elections and wishes to receive parliamentary privileges.
The relevance of carrying out a extensive parliamentary reform, demanded by the political class of all parties, is moreover invoked.
Short legislative menu
Parliamentary work will really take off with the opening speech of Prime Minister François Legault at the Blue Room, which will be delivered on Wednesday, where he should set out his priorities.
However, in the press scrum on Tuesday, Mr. Legault addressed his government’s two major challenges, namely to transform Quebec’s economy into a green economy and to stop the decline of French, especially in Montreal.
Mr. Legault expressed concern about the loss of ground for French, but he stressed that the two keys will pass through immigration and through Law 96. Eventually, the Prime Minister affirmed that he would like the great majority of immigrants speak French and that%”,”text”:”we must aim for 100%”}}”>we must aim for 100%.
In November 2018, during his first opening speech, Mr. Legault insisted on the importance of not being afraid of change and being bold. However, the Prime Minister should bet Wednesday on continuity, as suggested by the slogan of the last election campaign of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ), let’s go on
.
Only two bills are expected to be tabled in the coming days. The first is intended to fight inflation by setting an annual cap on increases in government fees – such as driver’s licenses and vehicle registration fees – at 3%.
The second piece of legislation should make the oath to King Charles III optional, an essential condition for sitting in the National Assembly.
For the present mandate, education should be the top priority, especially with the problem of the labor shortage.
Health will also occupy a prominent place with access to a family doctor, waiting times in Quebec’s emergency rooms and delays in obtaining surgery, among others.
Finally, reducing the tax burden of Quebec taxpayers should be another major project for the Quebec government. The Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, should also take stock on December 8 of the economic and financial situation of Québec. Several measures intended to lighten the tax burden should be announced at that time.