(Quebec) The President of the National Assembly, Nathalie Roy, defended, Tuesday, the 10 million increase in her budget during an annual accountability exercise.
The National Assembly is independent and its appropriations do not have to be voted on in the House. On the other hand, the president must, once a year, justify her expenses to elected officials.
Tuesday, Mme Roy said the National Assembly’s budget increased from 192 million in 2023-2024 to 202 million this year.
Of this amount, 190.4 million will mainly be paid in salaries to the 750 employees of Parliament, while 19.7 million will be devoted to the restoration and renovation of the buildings.
Eight million is subtracted because it is part of a depreciation over several years.
“It’s not a frivolity,” insisted Mme Roy in front of liberal MP Filomena Rotiroti who asked him to reassure all those who “question the sound management of the National Assembly”.
For example, the increase in the operating budget was a recommendation from the Treasury Board Secretariat, underlined the president.
“There are collective agreements that have been signed and others are under negotiation,” recalled M.me Roy. The majority of these amounts are for salary increases. »
The last few months have also been marked by a 30% increase in MPs’ salaries. More precisely, the budget of the National Assembly therefore provides:
- 4.6 million for the increase in salary expenses, particularly linked to the potential renewal of collective agreements;
- $826,000 for the indexation of operating expenses due to inflation;
- $753,000 to increase MP compensation to cover the full year;
- $102,000 for the enhancement of the Quebec pension plan;
- $81,000 for the Assembly members’ retirement plan.
In addition, major renovation work will be carried out at the Salon bleu from June until fall 2026. Mme Roy did not want to reveal their costs before the end of the bidding period.
“The data […] remain confidential so as not to harm the tender process. Contract amounts will be disclosed from the moment they are awarded,” she said.
400 cameras around the People’s House
The president also addressed the theme of the safety of elected officials. She revealed that the National Assembly will ultimately not move forward with the installation of cameras in their homes or chalets.
” It has been decided […] that we go on a case-by-case basis,” she said, taking care, however, to list the various measures put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of deputies.
“If it’s any comfort to you, know […] that there are more than 400 cameras observing and monitoring what is happening [autour de l’Assemblée nationale]among other things in parking lots. […] You are never alone. »
In terms of new technologies, Nathalie Roy confided that reflection was underway regarding the possibility of making greater use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the National Assembly.
The chief government whip, Mario Laframboise, pointed out that artificial intelligence could potentially reduce search time by 1000%.
According to him, parliament is currently in the “stone age”, not even offering enough power outlets to plug in all the electronic devices.
“Are we thinking a little about artificial intelligence to help MPs? » he asked.
The National Assembly has indeed started a reflection, replied Mr.me Roy, who calls AI a tool “that can be extremely profitable, magnificent, and which can also be extremely dangerous.”
It is therefore necessary, according to her, to proceed with “caution” and “parsimony”.
The Council of Little Treasures open at least until December
Finally, the president announced that the pilot daycare project at the National Assembly will be extended until December, time to take stock of the operations.
This project, which allows MPs, political and administrative staff, as well as members of the Press Gallery, to have their children looked after at atypical hours, has cost $142,000 to date.
Since September, 54 parents (for a total of 69 children) have used the daycare services: seven deputies, six political employees and 41 administrative employees.
The project, a strong “symbol” for women, who see that it is possible to be a mother and play politics, could be sustained, provided it has the approval of the Office of the National Assembly (BAN ), indicated Mme Roy.