Government of Quebec

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Government of Quebec

The Government of Quebec (Gouvernement du Québec) refers to the provincial government of the province of Quebec, Canada. It is a federated entity within Canada, with its own powers and responsibilities defined by the Constitution of Canada. The government is structured according to the principles of parliamentary democracy, and its framework is outlined in the Quebec Act of 1774, the Constitution Act, 1867, and subsequent amendments.

Structure

The Government of Quebec is composed of three branches: the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary. These branches operate independently and are designed to provide checks and balances on each other's powers.

Executive Branch

The Executive Branch of Quebec is headed by the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, who represents the monarch at the provincial level. However, the day-to-day operations and decision-making are carried out by the Premier of Quebec, who is the head of government and is supported by the Cabinet. The Premier is usually the leader of the party that holds the majority in the National Assembly.

Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch consists of the National Assembly of Quebec, a unicameral body composed of Members of the National Assembly (MNAs). The National Assembly is responsible for creating and passing laws, as well as for approving the government's budget. Elections for the National Assembly are held at least every five years, but they can be called earlier by the Premier.

Judiciary Branch

The Judiciary Branch is independent of the Executive and Legislative branches and is responsible for interpreting and applying the law. Quebec's legal system is based on civil law, distinct from the common law system used in the rest of Canada. The highest court in the province is the Court of Appeal of Quebec.

Responsibilities

The Government of Quebec has jurisdiction over several areas, including health care, education, transportation, and municipal affairs. It also has shared responsibility with the federal government for immigration, agriculture, and environmental protection.

Political Parties

Several political parties operate within Quebec, with the most prominent being the Quebec Liberal Party, the Parti Québécois, and the Coalition Avenir Québec. These parties compete in provincial elections to form the government.

Language Policy

One of the most notable policies of the Quebec government is its stance on the French language. The Charter of the French Language (Bill 101), adopted in 1977, establishes French as the official language of the province in government, commerce, and education.

History

The history of the Government of Quebec is marked by periods of tension and cooperation with the Government of Canada, particularly regarding issues of Quebec sovereignty and cultural identity. The Quiet Revolution of the 1960s and the 1980 Quebec referendum and 1995 referendum on independence are significant events in this history.

See Also

• Politics of Quebec
• Constitution of Canada
• List of premiers of Quebec
• Quebec nationalism