Quebec.

• Author: Ford, Sylvia
• Position: Report

Parliamentary proceedings the first session of the 38th legislature, which were adjourned on December 19, 2007, resumed for the spring sessional period on March 11, 2008.

Spring marks the beginning of the budgetary process at the National Assembly and, last March 13, the Minister of Finance launched this process with the Budget Speech. The debate on the Budget Speech ensued, to be suspended in the Assembly and continued in the Committee on Public Finance. On March 18, 2008, the Assembly adopted a motion by the Government House Leader for the Assembly to give consideration to Interim Supply for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009. This budgetary stage concluded with the passage of Appropriation Act No. 1, 2008-2009, and the referral to the standing committees of the estimates of expenditure for the 2008-2009 fiscal year. On April 8, 2008, the Assembly resumed the debate on the Budget Speech and, at the conclusion of this debate, carried the motion by the Minister of Finance proposing that the Assembly approves in general the budgetary policy of the Government.

Interparliamentary relations

The members of the Eastern Regional Conference of the Council of State Governments (CSG/ERC) Executive Committee, who met in New Jersey from March 14-16, 2008, unanimously adopted a resolution marking the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City and recognizing the contributions of the population of Quebec City to good North American relations. This resolution was presented on the proposal of the Quebec National Assembly delegation, led by Tony Tomassi, Member for LaFontaine, Vice-Chairman of the Quebec Section of the CSG/ERC and member of the Executive Committee.

Parliamentary simulations

From February 13-15 2008, the Quebec National Assembly welcomed 114 students from Secondary 3 and 4 to the 6th Young People's Parliament. This parliamentary simulation brought together young people attending 32 public and private schools hailing from several Quebec regions. During this simulation, the Members examined three bills that they had drafted prior to this event: a first bill promoting the prohibition of the sale of energy drinks to minors, a second bill proposing measures to foster the learning of French in Quebec schools, and the last promoting healthy lifestyle habits among Quebec's youth.

Other news

On April 9, 2008, Roch Cholette announced his resignation as Member for the Electoral Division of Hull. His departure increases to three the number of vacant seats in the Assembly, which is now composed as follows: Quebec Liberal Party, 47; Action democratique du Quebec, 41; Parti Quebecois, 34; vacant seats, 3.

On February 23, 2008, Denis Lazure passed away at the age of 82. He was the Parti Quebecois Member for the Electoral Division of Chambly from 1976 to 1981, in Bertrand from 1981 to 1984, and in La Prairie from 1989 to 1994.

Last March 18, the President of the Quebec...