Quebec’s 59 Parti Québécois (PQ) MNAs were sworn in Thursday, greeted by family members, friends and former MNAs and defeated candidates as they arrived at the Red Room of the National Assembly.
“Quebec a country, Quebec a country,” the crowd chanted. At times, PQ Leader and premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon appeared emotional as he addressed the gathering.
“Long live a free Quebec!” he exclaimed during a speech in which he celebrated increasing the party’s number of MNAs twentyfold, giving it its largest caucus since 1998.
“This lily is blooming again. (…) We can be very, very proud of what we have accomplished together!” he said to applause.
However, the biggest challenges lie ahead, he warned. During the election campaign, St-Pierre Plamondon promised to tackle the cost of living, reduce homelessness and bring order to public finances.
He also wants to refocus the government on its core responsibilities: health care and education.
“Protecting our people, as Jacques Parizeau used to say. Enlightening our people about what is in their best interest, as René Lévesque used to say. That is the meaning of our commitment,” he said.
St-Pierre Plamondon plans to have his inexperienced team undergo political training led by former premier Pauline Marois and Jean Royer, former chief of staff to Jacques Parizeau.
He also reminded his MNAs that politics is a team sport.
“Discipline and a strong work ethic lead to victories, not raw talent,” he said.
“Trust is earned slowly. Let us remember that it can be lost quickly,” he added.
The premier-designate said the “essential discussion” about Quebec’s future would eventually resume.
“Being masters in our own house (…) that is our destiny,” he concluded.
No oath to the King
The MNAs swore an oath of allegiance to the people of Quebec, allowing them to officially take office.
Since 2022, swearing an oath to the King has no longer been mandatory.
“It may seem trivial, (…) but just four years ago, all MNAs swore an oath of allegiance to the British Crown, with no exceptions,” St-Pierre Plamondon said.
“Many MNAs were very uncomfortable,” he added.
The ceremony, held at 2 p.m., took place in the Legislative Council Chamber, which was returning to its ceremonial role after nearly two years of renovations.
Lt.-Gov. Manon Jeannotte, the King’s representative in Quebec, was not invited, as the PQ seeks to sever all ties with the monarchy.
Speculation grows over cabinet appointments
“We’re excited, we’re a competent team and we’re looking forward to getting to work,” Berthier MNA Elsie Lefebvre said as she arrived at the legislature.
St-Pierre Plamondon is expected to unveil his cabinet, which should have about 20 members, on Oct. 21.
Speculation is already mounting over who will get a seat at the cabinet table, but no MNAs wanted to express preferences or ambitions on Thursday.
Asked whether he would like a particular portfolio, former Bloc Québécois parliamentary leader Alain Therrien, now the MNA for Sanguinet, said he was simply happy to be an MNA.
Catherine Gentilcore, re-elected in Terrebonne, was asked whether she hoped to become culture minister.
“I want to be useful to my team,” she said.
Trade war, foreign investment
The new government is also facing pressure to strengthen Quebec’s economy and respond to the ongoing trade war against the U.S.
Political analyst Daniel Tran said the party’s decision to bring several figures with private-sector experience into its caucus is not surprising, particularly as Quebec looks to diversify its trade relationships and attract more foreign investment.
Tran said one example is Stéphane Paquet, the former CEO of Montréal International, who was elected as a PQ MNA in Pointe-aux-Trembles.
“He’s been able to attract foreign investment to the metropolis,” Tran said.
Attracting investment has been a key part of the PQ’s economic platform, particularly as Quebec businesses face uncertainty linked to the trade war.
The party has also proposed cutting Quebec’s corporate tax rate from 11.5 per cent to 9.5 per cent as part of its efforts to make the province more attractive to businesses.
“This is where you have to juggle with the risk of a referendum, and try to attract foreign investment, as well,” Tran said.
The incoming government has also promised to reduce public spending. The PQ says it wants to cut $6.6 billion from government spending over five years, including a 2.5 per cent reduction in public-sector wages, while freezing the salaries of MNAs.
St-Pierre Plamondon has described the approach as putting the government’s finances “back in order.”
‘We will work together’
The PQ won the Oct. 5 election with 28 per cent of the vote, increasing its number of MNAs from three to 59. It will form a minority government.
Minority governments last an average of 18 to 24 months.
“We will work together. There’s no problem with that. We’ll be able to work together. That’s what Quebecers want,” Therrien said.
“We all have a duty to make the National Assembly work,” St-Pierre Plamondon said in his speech, adding that he was extending a hand to opposition parties.
Liberal MNAs will be sworn in next Monday, followed by Québec solidaire MNAs on Tuesday and Conservative MNAs on Thursday.
The election of a new National Assembly speaker is also expected to take place soon. If the speaker is chosen from the PQ caucus, the party’s voting strength in the legislature will drop to 58.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
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