(Quebec) Assemblee nationale.

• Author: Robert Jolicoeur

On March 12, 1996 the Quebec National Assembly resumed its proceedings, which had adjourned on December 15, 1995. This sitting was mainly devoted to welcoming the Member for Jonquere and new Prime Minister, Lucien Bouchard, and the Member for La Prairie, Monique Simard, who were returned in the by-elections held last February.

Members then proceeded to the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. Jean-Pierre Charbonneau was elected Speaker, replacing Roger Bertrand, who is now Minister of Revenue. Claude Pinard was elected Deputy Speaker. He holds the office left vacant by the appointment of Pierre Belanger to the Executive Council.

During his acceptance speech, the new Speaker invited Members to conduct proceedings with dignity and magnanimity. "We must combine our efforts in order that decorum, the quality of debates and mutual respect may henceforth characterize one of the oldest Parliaments in the world".

On the day following the resumption of proceedings, the Lieutenant-Governor, Martial Asselin, prorogued the First Session of the Thirty-fifth Legislature and summoned Members for a new session on March 25, 1996. On this occasion, the Prime Minister reaffirmed, in his opening speech, the objective of his Government to bring the deficit down to zero within four years. He announced the creation of a universal drug insurance plan, a new unified family allowance, a modified pension plan, an act respecting pay equity, and a reform of the taxation, legal aid and welfare structures. He also indicated the governmental intention to reduce regulation in the private sector and to bring about various administrative reforms, amongst others regarding dual remuneration of public officials, the code of ethics of public administrators and the practice of lobbying.

On March 27, 1996, the Minister of Finance, Bernard Landry, tabled the estimates for 1996-97. These estimates total 41 billion dollars, of which 35.1 billion are set aside for programmes, which is 3% less than last year, and 5.9 billion dollars for the debt service. The result is a decrease of 1.1 billion dollars in Government expenditures. Among the cutbacks, is the amount allocated for reimbursement of foreign hospital expenses, as well as grants to private schools. Grants to companies will be abolished, along with the housing allowance given to certain social assistance recipients. The closing of certain prisons and of several Quebec delegations in foreign...