Assemblee Nationale: Quebec.

• Author: Lapointe, Marie-France
• Position: Legislative Reports - Report

The parliamentary proceedings the first session of the 38th legislature, which were adjourned on June 21, 2007, resumed for the fall sessional period on October 16, 2007. At the end of this period, on December 19 the Members of the Quebec National Assembly had adopted 38 public bills, nine of which were introduced by Members, and 14 private bills.

On November 28 and December 11, 2007, the Members of the Assembly unanimously carried two motions moved jointly by the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, the Member for the electoral division of Marguerite-D'Youville, and the Member for the electoral division of Vachon, concerning the Kyoto Protocol.

Composition

In follow-up to the by-election held on September 24, 2007, the new Member for Charlevoix and Leader of the Second Opposition Group, Pauline Marois, was sworn-in last October 11. During the fall, two Members resigned from office, namely Diane Lemieux, Member for Bourget, who stepped down on October 17, and Andre Boisclair, Member for Pointe-aux-Trembles, who resigned on November 15. These departures have left two vacant seats in the National Assembly, which is now composed as follows: Quebec Liberal Party, 48 Members; Action democratique du Quebec, 41 Members, Parti Quebecois, 34 Members.

Directive from the Chair

Since the beginning of the 38th legislature, a list of all of the papers tabled in the National Assembly is available on its Internet site. To facilitate access to information for parliamentarians and citizens alike, a large number of these documents may now be accessed directly on the Internet site of the Assembly. In addition to the paper version, a digital copy of all annual reports and strategic plans of the ministries and agencies will be tabled in the Assembly. Documents produced by persons appointed by the Assembly will also be tabled in both formats. In addition to promoting access to information, the tabling of a digital version of these documents will allow the Assembly to significantly reduce the number of copies required from ministries and agencies, in the perspective of sustainable development. It should be noted, however, that the paper version remains the only official version of any document tabled in the National Assembly.

Interparliamentary relations

On September 26, 2007, the Member for Pontiac, Charlotte L'Ecuyer, was elected Vice-chair of the Network of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, a first for a Member hailing from the Canadian Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association since the Network's creation in 1989. Mrs. L'Ecuyer has been Chair of the Canadian Region of this organization since July 2006.

Parliamentary simulations

The 8th legislature of the Seniors' Parliament was held at the National Assembly from September 10-12, 2007. Two bills reflecting the concerns of seniors were assented to upon the conclusion of this parliamentary simulation, namely the Act establishing the responsibility of citizens and government as regards the environment and sustainable development, and the Act ensuring the implementation of the rights and duties of...