# Parti Québécois Excludes Lieutenant-Governor from Cabinet Swearing-in Ceremony The move signals a symbolic shift as Quebec officials bypass traditional monarchical protocols. - **Source:** [National Post - RSS Feed](https://nationalpost.com/) - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/cd00928b-5917-4ef0-8d06-6d24891fe57f ## Ceremonial Exclusion Strategy Premier-elect Paul St-Pierre Plamondon requested that Lieutenant-Governor Manon Jeannotte remain absent from the cabinet swearing-in ceremony. Jeannotte agreed to follow the proceedings via a television feed from her office. This decision effectively removes the representative of the monarchy from the physical room during the official government formation process in Quebec. ## Constitutional Reality Constraints Despite the symbolic exclusion, the Lieutenant-Governor retains essential legal functions within the province. Her signature remains mandatory for appointing cabinet ministers, ratifying orders-in-council, and granting royal assent to provincial legislation. The incoming government must still navigate these constitutional requirements while attempting to minimize the visibility of the monarchical role. ## Political Apathy in Ottawa Federal politicians in Ottawa displayed minimal reaction to the news, reflecting a broader disinterest in the monarchy. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly emphasized a focus on cooperative federalism rather than provincial ceremonial choices. Similarly, Liberal MP Jean-Yves Duclos stated that the federal government remains focused on priorities deemed more important than this specific protocol. ## Local Political Consensus Quebec Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime expressed no opposition to the move, noting his own non-monarchist stance. However, he cautioned against pursuing permanent constitutional changes to remove the office entirely, citing a lack of public appetite for such complex legal battles. Most political figures in Quebec treated the event with notable indifference. ## Legislative Oath Precedent The exclusion follows a broader trend established by Bill 4, passed in 2022, which made the oath to King Charles III optional. Members of the National Assembly now swear allegiance to the people of Quebec instead. Even federalist Quebec Liberals recently adopted this practice, signaling a widespread shift in provincial political norms. ## Legal Challenges to Bill 4 The validity of the oath-taking process faces a legal challenge currently before the Quebec Superior Court. Professor Lawrence David filed an emergency injunction arguing that Bill 4 is unconstitutional. Justice Ian Demers is expected to render a decision soon, which could potentially force legislators to swear an oath to the King. ## Future Judicial Implications Legal experts anticipate an urgent appeal regardless of the upcoming court ruling by Justice Ian Demers. The outcome will determine whether the current practice of swearing allegiance to the people of Quebec can legally persist. This ongoing litigation represents the primary hurdle for the government's efforts to fully detach from monarchical traditions. ## Shifting Institutional Norms The quiet acceptance of this exclusion highlights a significant decline in the monarchy's symbolic influence within Quebec politics. While the legal framework remains tied to the Crown, the practical application of these protocols is rapidly evolving. The upcoming legislative session on November 24 will further test the durability of these new norms. ## Sources covering this story - https://nationalpost.com/news/the-pq-bypassed-the-monarchy-it-was-met-with-a-shrug-in-quebec-and-ottawa — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._