Constitutional scholars differ on whether the Quebec legislature can allow members to participate in legislative debates and votes without taking the oath
The Coalition Avenir Quebec government tabled a bill this week to make the oath optional after weeks of debate in the aftermath of the October election, as three members of the opposition Parti Quebecois refused to swear allegiance to King Charles and were barred from sitting.Sign up to receive daily headline news from Ottawa Citizen, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Previously, Quebec members of the legislature had to swear two oaths — one to the people of Quebec and one to the Crown. Many sovereigntist politicians have found their way around that over the years, either by taking the oath privately or by adding a few words to make it more palatable. Some experts are of the opinion it can’t be done unilaterally and would require the consent of some or all provinces and both houses of Parliament.But others have argued Quebec could change the oath requirement through the power provinces possess to change their own constitutions.
But legal challenges are likely in the case of the Quebec language law and someone might decide to add the oath issue to that fight, he added. Berard wondered what could happen to laws passed by the legislature if the decision to let members sit without the oath is eventually struck down.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Quebec adopts law making oath to King optional for elected membersQuebec's legislature has passed a law putting an end to the requirement that members swear an oath to the King.
Read more »
Quebec adopts law making oath to King optional for elected members | CBC NewsQuebec's legislature has passed a law putting an end to the requirement that members swear an oath to the King.
Read more »
Quebec coroner questions why witnesses failed to report drunk driver before crashMONTREAL — A Quebec coroner is questioning why people who saw a drunk driver get behind the wheel failed to call police before he got into a crash that killed…
Read more »
New Quebec bill seeks to modernize patients' access to health dataThe new approach would see digital medical files follow patients wherever they seek help, rather than patients having to act as \u0022clerks of the state.\u0022
Read more »
Douglas Todd: B.C. and Ontario need more say on immigration, says Quebec specialist\u0022We need to treat people better. These are people’s lives. These are families making huge life\u002Dchanging decisions.\u0022 — Anne Michèle Meggs
Read more »
Quebec judge authorizes class-action lawsuit over 'addictive' Fortnite gameA Quebec judge has authorized a class-action lawsuit against the maker of the popular online video game, Fortnite, after parents of three children who played it argued it was too 'addictive.'
Read more »