The winter parliamentary session promises to be busy and strategic for the Legault government and other parties in the National Assembly. Here’s an overview of the key issues that will dominate debates in the coming weeks.
Government restructures staff, delays Cabinet shuffle
Despite persistent rumors this fall, the Legault government has shown no signs of a major cabinet shuffle before the parliamentary session resumes. However, a quarter of the ministers now have a new chief of staff, as their predecessors have left the government. This internal reorganization could signal a strategic move to address challenges, including the departure of Pierre Fitzgibbon last August and the Coalition Avenir Québec's (CAQ) declining poll numbers.
Québec Liberal Party leadership race officially underway!
The Québec Liberal Party (PLQ) has finally launched its leadership race. The declared candidates are: Pablo Rodriguez, former federal Liberal minister; Charles Milliard, former CEO of the Québec Chamber of Commerce Federation; Denis Coderre, former Mayor of Montreal and former federal Liberal minister; and Marc Bélanger, a tax lawyer. MNA Frédéric Beauchemin, who had announced his intention to run, has chosen to support Pablo Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Charles Milliard has secured the endorsement of Raymond Bachand, former Québec Finance Minister and a highly respected figure among PLQ members. Both Rodriguez and Milliard have four endorsements within the Liberal caucus. This race, culminating in the selection of the next leader on June 14, will be pivotal for the party’s future as it seeks to regain voter trust and redefine its political positioning.
Crucial by-elections ahead
Two major by-elections are on the horizon. The first will take place in the riding of Terrebonne to replace Pierre Fitzgibbon. A former Parti Québécois (PQ) stronghold, this election is highly anticipated as it could redraw the political landscape in the region. The PQ, PLQ, and Québec Solidaire had already nominated their candidates last fall, while the CAQ has yet to announce its candidate. The outcome of this election could significantly impact the Legault government’s momentum.
Another by-election could also occur in the riding of Arthabaska, a CAQ stronghold since 2016. Current MNA Éric Lefebvre has announced his intention to run for the Conservative Party of Canada in Richmond-Arthabaska in the next federal election. Once the federal election is triggered, the provincial seat will become vacant. A CAQ loss in this riding would represent a serious setback, given its symbolic importance.
A bill to restrict new doctors from practicing in the private sector
Health Minister Christian Dubé has introduced Bill 83, aimed at curbing the migration of doctors to the private sector. The bill requires graduates of Québec medical schools to work in the public sector for five years before being allowed to opt out and practice privately. Additionally, medical students will need to sign a formal commitment to practice in Québec after their studies, with severe financial penalties for non-compliance. While Dubé has expressed openness to adjustments during parliamentary committee discussions, concerned groups may challenge certain provisions, particularly the penalties. Many are awaiting further details on the bill’s implementation.
The return of Québec’s energy reform legislation
Bill 69, which aims to double Québec’s energy production, will be a key item on the parliamentary agenda. The bill seeks to give Hydro-Québec greater autonomy to meet rising energy demand. However, the election of Donald Trump in the United States and the potential for new tariffs on electricity exports to the U.S. have prompted Minister Christine Fréchette to delay the bill’s adoption. The government wants to assess the potential impact of these developments, particularly regarding energy pricing.
Anticipated reform of public sector collective bargaining rules
Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel has announced a major reform to modernize the rules governing collective agreement negotiations with public sector unions. With over 600,000 employees affected, this initiative aims to simplify a process often deemed complex and overly rigid. LeBel proposes reducing the number of bargaining tables, a measure she considers essential for expediting agreements. She emphasized that the current rules, in place since 1985, no longer reflect modern labour market realities. Although LeBel has pledged that union rights and the right to strike would remain unchanged, the reform could face significant union resistance.
Pre-budget consultations under pressure
The Finance Minister faces a historic $11-billion deficit while evaluating the economic impact of potential American tariffs announced by the new Trump administration. These pre-budget consultations will be crucial in setting priorities, especially as businesses and citizens expect clear measures to stabilize the economy.
The image used in this article was generated by artificial intelligence
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