In 2020, two proposals for reforming parliamentary procedure were presented in order to modernize the functioning of the National Assembly of Québec. The first came from the government parliamentary leader and then Minister for the Reform of Democratic Institutions, Simon Jolin-Barrette. The second was presented a few months later by the president of the Assembly, the former deputy for Lévis François Paradis.
Three years later and with a newly elected government, the time has come to move forward. These reforms contain several important measures that will improve the work of elected officials, for the benefit of all Quebecers. Unquestionably, this is a golden opportunity for the citizens of Quebec to take an interest in the political processes that govern their daily life together. Above all, the emerging reform could bring several improvements to Quebec political life.
First, the two reform projects provide for the lowering of the thresholds necessary for the official recognition of a political party as a parliamentary group, an issue that has caused a lot of ink to flow following the last elections, where neither Québec solidaire (QS) nor the Parti Québécois (PQ) have achieved them.
Then, several proposed measures will optimize parliamentary work, such as electronic voting, the review of the study of budgetary appropriations and the end of points of order during question period. New work-family balance measures will also improve the personal quality of life of elected officials and perhaps make the position more attractive to young people.
Ideas are also proposed to make the National Assembly more open to citizens and more responsive: a new section for debates including citizens’ petitions (even the creation of a committee on petitions), the setting up of debates on citizens’ initiative and the reinforcement of legislative information are some of them.
We can also salute the desire to further promote accountability and improve accountability, through the creation of a Parliamentary Budget Officer, the establishment of one interpellation per year in the presence of the Prime Minister and more time provided for management review of government departments and agencies.
Finally, perhaps the greatest benefit of these reforms will be to improve the quality of Assembly deliberations. Democratic thought and practice are today experiencing a “deliberative turn” that can be seen throughout the world and that the forthcoming reform must not ignore. On this point, the government leader’s proposal to create a Citizens’ Affairs Chamber deserves special attention.
This House could indeed give more time and space to the members of the government party and to the opposition members to deliberate and propose thoughtful solutions to contemporary issues. The name is somewhat misleading, however, since the direct participation of citizens in this chamber does not seem to have been foreseen.
We therefore hope that this reform will be implemented in the near future, that it be bold and be the result of collegial work that incorporates the opinions of the public. A Citizens’ Table on parliamentary reform, as proposed by the presidency, would be more than welcome in this sense!