Premier of Quebec
Encyclopedia
The Premier of Quebec is the first minister
of the Canadian
province of Quebec
. The Premier is the province's head of government
and his title is Premier and President of the Executive Council.
The current Premier
of Quebec is Jean Charest
, appointed June 6, 2003.
, vice-regal representative of the Queen in Right of Quebec
, as president of the Executive Council
. He or she is most usually the head of the party winning the most seats in the National Assembly of Quebec
, and is normally a sitting member of the National Assembly. An exception to this rule occurs when the winning party's leader fails to win the riding in which he is running. In that case, he would have to be elected in a by-election. This has happened, for example, to Robert Bourassa
in 1985.
The role of the Premier of Quebec is to set the legislative priorities on the opening speech of the National Assembly. He represents the leading party and must have the confidence of the Assembly, as expressed by votes on budgets and other matters considered as confidence votes.
The distinction between "Premier" and "Prime Minister" does not exist in Quebec, since both offices are termed "Premier Ministre" in French. In at least one instance, the term "Prime Minister of the Province of Quebec" was used in an English-language advertisement.
. This principle is a matter of constitutional convention, since the Constitution Act, 1867
does not mention it.
First Minister
A First Minister is the leader of a government cabinet.-Canada:In Canada, "First Ministers" is a collective term that refers to all Canadian first ministers of the Crown, otherwise known as heads of government, including the Prime Minister of Canada and the provincial and territorial premiers...
of the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. The Premier is the province's head of government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
and his title is Premier and President of the Executive Council.
The current Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
of Quebec is Jean Charest
Jean Charest
John James "Jean" Charest, PC, MNA is a Canadian politician who has been the 29th Premier of Quebec since 2003. He was leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1993 to 1998 and has been leader of the Quebec Liberal Party since 1998....
, appointed June 6, 2003.
Selection and qualifications
The Premier of Quebec is nominally appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor of QuebecLieutenant-Governors of Quebec
The following is a list of the Lieutenant Governors of Quebec. Though the present day office of the lieutenant governor in Quebec came into being only upon the province's entry into Canadian Confederation in 1867, the post is a continuation from the first governorship of New France in 1627, through...
, vice-regal representative of the Queen in Right of Quebec
Monarchy in Quebec
By the arrangements of the Canadian federation, Canada's monarchy operates in Quebec as the core of the province's Westminster-style parliamentary democracy and constitution. As such, the Crown within Quebec's jurisdiction is referred to as the Crown in Right of Quebec , Her Majesty in Right of...
, as president of the Executive Council
Executive Council of Quebec
The Executive Council of Quebec is the cabinet of the government of Quebec, Canada....
. He or she is most usually the head of the party winning the most seats in the National Assembly of Quebec
National Assembly of Quebec
The National Assembly of Quebec is the legislative body of the Province of Quebec. The Lieutenant Governor and the National Assembly compose the Parliament of Quebec, which operates in a fashion similar to those of other British-style parliamentary systems.The National Assembly was formerly the...
, and is normally a sitting member of the National Assembly. An exception to this rule occurs when the winning party's leader fails to win the riding in which he is running. In that case, he would have to be elected in a by-election. This has happened, for example, to Robert Bourassa
Robert Bourassa
Jean-Robert Bourassa, was a politician in Quebec, Canada. He served as the 22nd Premier of Quebec in two different mandates, first from May 12, 1970, to November 25, 1976, and then from December 12, 1985, to January 11, 1994, serving a total of just under 15 years as Provincial Premier.-Early...
in 1985.
The role of the Premier of Quebec is to set the legislative priorities on the opening speech of the National Assembly. He represents the leading party and must have the confidence of the Assembly, as expressed by votes on budgets and other matters considered as confidence votes.
The distinction between "Premier" and "Prime Minister" does not exist in Quebec, since both offices are termed "Premier Ministre" in French. In at least one instance, the term "Prime Minister of the Province of Quebec" was used in an English-language advertisement.
History
The Premiers of Quebec are elected according to the principle of responsible governmentResponsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
. This principle is a matter of constitutional convention, since the Constitution Act, 1867
Constitution Act, 1867
The Constitution Act, 1867 , is a major part of Canada's Constitution. The Act created a federal dominion and defines much of the operation of the Government of Canada, including its federal structure, the House of Commons, the Senate, the justice system, and the taxation system...
does not mention it.
See also
- Politics of QuebecPolitics of QuebecThe politics of Quebec are centred on a provincial government resembling that of the other Canadian provinces, namely a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The capital of the province is Quebec City, where the Lieutenant Governor, Premier, the legislature, and cabinet reside.The...
- List of premiers of Quebec
- Prime Minister of CanadaPrime Minister of CanadaThe Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
- Premier (Canada)Premier (Canada)In Canada, a premier is the head of government of a province or territory. There are currently ten provincial premiers and three territorial premiers in Canada....