Government of Quebec

The Government of Quebec (French: Gouvernement du Québec ) is the provincial government of the Province of Quebec, Canada. It operates within the framework of a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, with the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec acting as the representative of the Monarch of Canada. The government is responsible for the administration of the province and the implementation of laws and policies.

Structure

The Government of Quebec is structured similarly to other Canadian provincial governments, with three main branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial.

Executive Branch

The executive branch is headed by the Premier of Quebec, who is the leader of the political party that holds the majority of seats in the National Assembly of Quebec. The Premier is responsible for setting government policy and making decisions on provincial matters. The executive branch also includes the Executive Council of Quebec, which is composed of ministers appointed by the Premier. These ministers are responsible for specific government departments and agencies.

Legislative Branch

The legislative branch is the National Assembly of Quebec, a unicameral body composed of 125 members known as Members of the National Assembly (MNAs). The National Assembly is responsible for passing laws, approving budgets, and representing the interests of Quebec citizens. The Speaker of the National Assembly of Quebec presides over the sessions of the Assembly.

Judicial Branch

The judicial branch of Quebec is independent of the executive and legislative branches. It is responsible for interpreting and applying the law. The highest court in Quebec is the Court of Appeal of Quebec, followed by the Superior Court of Quebec and various other lower courts.

Responsibilities

The Government of Quebec has jurisdiction over several areas as outlined in the Constitution Act, 1867. These include education, health care, natural resources, and transportation. The government also has the power to levy taxes and manage public finances.

Political Parties

Quebec has a multi-party system, with several political parties competing for power. The major parties include the Coalition Avenir Québec, the Parti Québécois, the Quebec Liberal Party, and Québec solidaire.

History

The Government of Quebec was established in 1867 when the British North America Act (now the Constitution Act, 1867) created the Dominion of Canada and its provinces. Quebec has a unique cultural and linguistic identity, with French as its official language, which has influenced its political landscape.

Also see

• National Assembly of Quebec
• Premier of Quebec
• Lieutenant Governor of Quebec
• Politics of Quebec
• Quebec sovereignty movement