Quebec’s premier-designate, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, has formally requested the lieutenant-governor of the province to refrain from attending the swearing-in ceremony of his new cabinet scheduled for Wednesday. In a letter addressed to Lt.-Gov. Manon Jeannotte on Monday, the leader of the Parti Québécois expressed the incoming government’s decision to bar a representative of the British Crown from overseeing the event. St-Pierre Plamondon emphasized the intention to eliminate the monarchy in Quebec from both democratic institutions and civil society.
The premier-designate explicitly stated his preference for the lieutenant-governor to sign the necessary appointment documents behind the scenes, enabling the Secretary General to administer the oaths without her presence. This approach, as outlined by the PQ leader, would facilitate the immediate commencement of the newly appointed ministers’ duties. St-Pierre Plamondon extended gratitude in advance for the lieutenant-governor’s cooperation to ensure a smooth and respectful democratic transition, aligning with the elected members of the National Assembly of Quebec.
However, the new government’s anti-monarchy stance is met with an immediate legal challenge. Lawrence David, a lawyer contesting the 2022 Quebec law that made the oath to the King optional for elected officials, confirmed that his plea for an emergency injunction will be heard in court on Tuesday. David anticipates a prompt ruling from Judge Ian Demers, with plans to appeal if the judgment does not favor his case.
The legal dispute revolves around the mandatory oath of allegiance to King Charles, with David filing an emergency injunction to compel the incoming Parti Québécois government to uphold this oath. The lawsuit seeks to suspend a recently enacted provincial law, Bill 4, which rendered the oath to the monarch optional for National Assembly members. Bill 4 amended the Constitution Act of 1867, absolving Quebec legislators from pledging allegiance to the monarch, a move initiated by the Coalition Avenir Québec government following pressure from the PQ.
With the recent provincial election granting the Parti Québécois a minority government, St-Pierre Plamondon reiterated his refusal to swear allegiance to King Charles, setting the stage for potential legal consequences. The lawsuit challenges Quebec’s alteration of the 1867 Constitution Act without unanimous consent from federal and provincial legislative bodies, arguing a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. David has warned of further legal action if attempts are made to unilaterally abolish the office of the lieutenant-governor by the newly elected government.
