Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, the leader of the Parti Québécois, has expressed his intention to cut off funding for the lieutenant-governor’s office and introduce legislation to separate Quebec from the British monarchy. He declared to reporters on Tuesday that a Parti Québécois government would eliminate any traces of monarchy in Quebec.
Leading the polls ahead of the October 5 election, St-Pierre Plamondon pledged to redirect the office’s $1.3 million budget towards addressing homelessness. However, the feasibility of dismantling the monarchy is being questioned by constitutional experts. They argue that the PQ’s proposal would encounter legal obstacles and potentially stall the province’s legislative process.
In Quebec, Lt.-Gov. Manon Jeannotte serves as the representative of King Charles, primarily responsible for granting royal assent to bills passed by the National Assembly. Constitutional law expert Karine Millaire emphasized that any unilateral action by the province would violate the constitution. She highlighted the 2014 Supreme Court ruling, which prohibits indirect abolition of core institutions.
Moreover, law professor Jean-François Gaudreault-DesBiens echoed the challenges of achieving this goal through provincial legislation. The potential bypassing of the lieutenant-governor could jeopardize the validity of new laws, according to Dave Guénette from the Observatory for Research on Constitutional Issues.
Despite legal complexities, St-Pierre Plamondon remains steadfast in his stance, prepared for a legal battle with the federal government. He emphasized the need to remove the monarchy from Quebec and redirect funds to social causes. The PQ’s recent announcement was sparked by revelations of high costs related to Governor General Mary Simon’s trip, estimating national spending on the monarchy at $50-60 million annually.
Furthermore, St-Pierre Plamondon indicated plans to request the lieutenant-governor not to attend the opening session of the legislative assembly if elected. The PQ has previously challenged monarchy-related protocols, notably eliminating the requirement for elected members to swear allegiance to the King in 2022.
Notably, Millaire highlighted the timing of St-Pierre Plamondon’s announcement on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. She emphasized the symbolic significance of Lt.-Gov. Jeannotte, a member of the Mi’kmaq First Nation, in fostering reconciliation between the Crown and Indigenous communities.
