Quebec Liberals Call for Constitutional Process Suspension Until After Election
The newly appointed leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, Charles Milliard, has formally requested that all political parties in Quebec suspend the ongoing process to adopt a provincial constitution until after the upcoming October election. In a letter distributed to other party leaders and two Coalition Avenir Québec leadership candidates on Wednesday, Milliard advocated for the withdrawal of Bill 1, the legislation intended to establish a Quebec constitution.
Proposal for a Non-Partisan Restart
Milliard's proposal emphasizes starting the constitutional process anew on a strictly non-partisan basis, incorporating extensive public consultations that he argues were lacking in the current government-led initiative. "The process put forward by the government is not only precipitated but flawed in itself because the constitution bill was not drafted following a large consultation process," Milliard wrote in his letter, which was also released to media outlets.
He pointed to the recent contentious debates surrounding Article 29, which initially affirmed women's rights to abortion, as clear evidence that the bill was poorly constructed and rushed through without adequate consideration of societal impacts. Following intense pressure from various advocacy groups, Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette agreed last week to remove the controversial clause, which many feared could reignite debates over abortion rights.
Current Legislative Challenges
According to Milliard, the existing conditions do not foster unity among Quebecers regarding the proposed legislation, which has faced criticism from multiple opposition parties and civil society groups. He expressed skepticism that the limited remaining parliamentary sessions before the summer recess would allow sufficient time to address the numerous obstacles embedded within Bill 1.
"I am sure you realize, as have we, that the current conditions are conducive to uniting Quebecers around a plan which necessitates their concrete and profound support," Milliard stated. "As a result, we propose we form a common front in order to withdraw the current bill."
Call for Post-Election Consensus
Milliard urged the Coalition Avenir Québec, Parti Québécois, and Québec solidaire to collaborate in establishing a comprehensive consultation process aimed at drafting a constitutional project that achieves broader consensus within civil society. This initiative would ideally commence after the next legislature is formed, following the October 5 election, which will conclude the 43rd session of the National Assembly.
The Liberal Party has historically supported the concept of a Quebec constitution since 2024, advocating for provisions that protect the rights of English-speaking and Indigenous communities. During committee hearings on Bill 1, representatives from these groups criticized the current draft for failing to address their concerns and called for substantial revisions.
Opposition and Government Responses
Other political entities have echoed reservations about the bill. Québec solidaire has invited opposition parties to block the legislation, accusing the CAQ of mishandling what could have been a historic moment for Quebec. The Parti Québécois participated in hearings with expressed regret, arguing that Jolin-Barrette's constitution remains subject to the Canadian Constitution as long as Quebec is part of Canada, rendering it largely symbolic.
In defense of the current process, Justice Minister Jolin-Barrette highlighted that the legislative committee reviewed input from over 200 groups and received 300 briefs regarding the bill. Despite this, the legislation currently remains at the adoption-of-principle stage, with uncertainty looming over whether there is adequate time for clause-by-clause study before the legislature adjourns on June 12 for the summer and subsequent election campaign.
As of now, there has been no immediate response from other political parties to Milliard's proposal to suspend the constitutional process. The outcome of this appeal could significantly influence Quebec's political landscape as the province approaches a pivotal electoral period.
