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Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Right after King Charles waves goodbye, Quebec lawmakers vote unanimously to end ties with British monarchy
On May 27, 2025, King Charles III gave a speech in Ottawa to start Canada's 45th Parliament. He even quoted the national anthem, saying, 'The True North is indeed strong and free.' That same day, Quebec's National Assembly voted to end all ties with the British monarchy, as per reports. The motion was brought by Parti Quebecois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. The motion said Quebec is the only true voice of its people and that most Quebecers feel no connection to the monarchy. The motion was passed unanimously, all 106 Members of the National Assembly from CAQ, Liberals, and Quebec solidaire voted for it. There was no debate before passing the motion, it was quick and unanimous, according to the Gazette report. Premier François Legault didn't seem interested in the King's speech. He said he didn't listen to it because he was in meetings. Simon Jolin-Barrette, the minister in charge of Canadian relations, also didn't listen to it but said he might later. Ruba Ghazal, Quebec solidaire co-leader, called Canada a 'bizarre country' for inviting a foreign monarch to talk about its future. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ¿Quieres un segundo ingreso? Prueba Amazon CFD (Inicia hoy) TradeLG Haz clic aquí Undo QS was the first party to push for ending the oath to the monarchy that MNAs used to take. In December 2022, Quebec passed a law making the oath to the monarch optional, after PQ MNAs were temporarily banned for refusing to swear it. As per the reports now, QS wants to go further and stop public money going to the lieutenant-governor's office, the King's rep in Quebec. This office costs $758,000/year for things like office, staff, and driver. The salary of the lieutenant-governor is paid by Ottawa, The current lieutenant-governor is Manon Jeannotte, appointed in December 2023. Live Events A day after Jeannotte was appointed, the National Assembly passed a motion to abolish the position, but nothing changed, since it's legally complex. Even though the job is mostly ceremonial, Quebec laws still need the royal seal to become official. QS says that instead of a lieutenant-governor, Quebec could have an administrator, but this needs support from Ottawa and other provinces. Ruba Ghazal said the first step is just to start the conversation. She gave an example, people once said ending the oath was impossible, but it happened, as mentioned in the Gazette report. Until then, QS says Quebec could at least stop funding the lieutenant-governor's office on its own. Ghazal said she has told this idea to Jolin-Barrette, and he's noted it. Back in 2015, CAQ's platform also said they wanted to remove the lieutenant-governor's post. St-Pierre Plamondon mocked the idea that U.S. President Donald Trump would be influenced by the King's visit, saying it's absurd and outdated. He said inviting King Charles to Canada, based on a colonial tradition, is offensive to francophones and Indigenous people. He questioned how Charles could help deal with Trump's random or hostile comments about Canada, as per reports. Marc Tanguay, interim Liberal leader, said he's not a fan of the monarchy either but warned that removing it needs a constitutional change, which is very hard. He also said, 'When I wake up in the morning, I am not thinking about King Charles III. My loyalty is to Quebec's people', as stated in the Gazette. FAQs Q1. Why did Quebec vote to cut ties with the British monarchy? Most Quebecers feel no connection to it, and leaders want Quebec to stand on its own. Q2. Can Quebec remove the lieutenant-governor post on its own? No, it needs support from Ottawa and other provinces to change that legally.
CTV News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Quebec Solidaire introduces bill on free contraception for women in province
Quebec Solidaire Leader Ruba Ghazal questions the government at the legislature in Quebec City, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press) (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)
CBC
24-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
'Allez Habs! Allez!': STM to support Montreal's sports teams en français
Social Sharing Montreal's transit agency will be removing the word "Go" from its electronic displays when supporting local sports teams, to comply with Quebec's language laws, and the move is raising eyebrows from even the most ardent defenders of the French language at the National Assembly. As such, the popular phrase "Go Habs! Go!" will be substituted with its French equivalent " Allez Habs! Allez!" In a statement, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) says the decision follows a previous order from the province's language watchdog, the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF). It's related to a complaint over the use of "Go! CF MTL Go!" in support of the local men's soccer team on bus displays. Though the word "Go" is a common sports expression, it's an Anglicism. Ruba Ghazal, the Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson and a self-proclaimed "lover of the French language," said "Go Habs! Go!" is Québécois, during a news conference gathering Quebec's opposition parties Thursday morning. "I don't think that's what's threatening the French language, the 'Go Habs, Go!'" She said protecting the language involves rather measures like making sure new immigrants as well as CEOs from large companies learn French. Catherine Gentilcore, the culture and communications critic for the Parti Québécois (PQ), echoed Ghazal, saying that her party has "bigger" priorities when it comes to the protection of the French language. She cited expanding Bill 101 to junior CEGEPs (junior colleges), improving francization efforts and strengthening culture and language programs in schools. She said PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon will not be deleting "Go Habs! Go!" from his vocabulary. "It's a waste of time, waste of money, waste of energy," he said.
