The last few months have not been easy for the government of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ). In addition to managing an episode of ice storms, floods and forest fires, he faced a series of crises inside the walls of the Blue Room. Back in eight dates on the last months of political and parliamentary news.
Abandonment of the Oath to the King — December 9, 2022
Since December, it is no longer mandatory for parliamentarians to take the oath to the crown to sit in the National Assembly. The deputies of the Parti Québécois, who had refused to do so, were therefore able to enter the Blue Room this year.
Fiasco at the Société d’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) — March 2023
The deployment of the SAAQclic platform went so badly that the Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault, had to return quickly from a mission in Europe to manage the chaos, at the beginning of March. The president and CEO of the SAAQ, Denis Marsolais, has also suffered: he left his place in April.
Departure of Sophie Brochu — April 11, 2023
The president and CEO of Hydro-Québec may have had disagreements with the government, but she surprised many by announcing her departure from the state-owned company at the beginning of the year. It is the former president and chief executive officer of the Caisse de depot et placement du Québec Michael Sabia who will replace her.
Abandonment of the third motorway link — April 20, 2023
To the chagrin of his deputies from the South Shore, Premier François Legault abandoned at the end of April the project for a third highway link between Quebec and Lévis, which he has been promising for ages. The CAQ is now committed to launching a public transit project, but it has still not been costed or detailed.
Major health and education reforms — March and May 2023
The Ministers of Health, Christian Dubé, and of Education, Bernard Drainville, both took advantage of the last parliamentary period to propose imposing revisions to their respective networks. Even before their entry into force, they generate significant criticism because of their centralizing character.
New immigration programs — May 25, 2023
To reverse the decline of French, Quebec is counting on a major reform of immigration programs. Soon, in the economic immigration category, only newcomers who speak French will be able to apply for selection, and the government plans to raise the thresholds to 60,000 immigrants per year.
MLA Salary Increase — June 6, 2023
No offense to Quebec solidaire — and to 74% of Quebecers, according to a Léger poll — the deputies voted in June for a salary increase of 30%. They become the highest paid parliamentarians in Canada, with the exception of federal elected officials.
Expanding medical assistance in dying — June 7, 2023
Quebec will soon allow people with “severe physical disabilities” to apply for medical assistance in dying. It will also legalize advance requests, but their implementation could take up to two years.