End-of-Session Review

General

The state of leaders and parties

Did the CAQ miss one of its last opportunities to reverse course with this closing session? The Parti Québécois maintained its lead in voting intentions, but will that hold? Will the Terrebonne victory prove to be an isolated case? The Liberal Party is benefiting from Carney’s arrival in the polls, but its leadership race has been completely crowded out of the public space. Will Éric Duhaime succeed in winning a seat at the National Assembly this fall? What becomes of Québec Solidaire, which has seen its strongest member officially announce his retirement from politics?

The parliamentary session now drawing to a close has not answered all of these crucial questions for Quebec’s political parties. Instead, it was the arrival of a new Canadian Prime Minister, a new cabinet, and Donald Trump’s antics that dominated the media agenda. In this review, prepared with care by our team, you will find what captured our attention during this parliamentary session.

Immigration

Immigration and its numbers

Beginning the year with its « integration model, » the government tabled a framework law to govern immigration in Quebec. With discussions already tense, opposition parties were quick to criticize the moves of Immigration, Francization and Integration Minister Jean-François Roberge. The restrictions imposed and the difficulties of negotiating with Ottawa have had a considerable impact on businesses and regions, which have repeatedly spoken out, particularly regarding temporary foreign workers. CEGEPs and universities have not been spared, seeing a revision of caps for international students.

To close out the session, the minister launched his 2026-2029 multi-year immigration plan, which includes a public consultation. Many businesses, associations, and municipalities will have an opportunity to be heard by submitting a brief before August 15. A prime opportunity to take part in the exercise in order to position your organization and its recommendations. Public hearings will begin when the Assembly reconvenes this fall, through the Committee on Relations with Citizens.

Finance

Public finances and the credit downgrade

If anyone was still looking for the label that would stick to the Legault government, many found it during the last session: it caused Quebec’s credit downgrade. This drop in the credit rating could have repercussions on Quebecers’ wallets. Finance Minister Éric Girard was initially reassuring, then ultimately admitted he had downplayed the consequences of the news. $450M over 10 years will impact the public treasury.

Following the mixed reception of his economic update, the Finance Minister must also contend with Donald Trump’s tariff threats, casting a heavy cloud of uncertainty over the state’s finances.

Health

Health and its many challenges

The government’s largest portfolio occupied a major place on the political agenda. Many will recall the not-so-distant images of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital flooded, overrun with rats and squirrels, and the countless procedures postponed or cancelled due to the deteriorating facilities. The repeated calls to action from opposition parties, the media, and even staff ultimately forced the government to unlock the necessary funds to begin renovations and bring the health facility up to standard.

Following the creation of Santé Quebec, which has been slow to get off the ground, Health Minister Christian Dubé continues to overturn the rocks of the « mammoth. » First with Bill 83, which will require new physicians to work in the public network so they do not choose private practice. Then, Bill 106, An Act mainly to establish collective responsibility and accountability of physicians with respect to improving access to medical services, will revisit what many other governments have attempted: reforming physician compensation.

Far from achieving consensus in hospital corridors and among unions, Christian Dubé has seen his star fade with some and must continue to defend his vision while reassuring the public that no one will lose their doctor. A real challenge for the minister.

Economy

Donald Trump and his tariffs

Against a backdrop of uncertainty for the Canadian and Quebec economies, particularly in the steel, aluminum, lumber, automotive, and oil sectors, the tariffs imposed by the American president will reshape relations between countries. Marked by twists and turns, deadlines, reversals, and accusations, the situation proved to be the single biggest factor in the election of Prime Minister Mark Carney.

For its part, Quebec, more restrained in its public statements than its counterparts in other provinces (consider the Ontario premier who cast himself as « Captain Canada »), attempted to make gains by travelling to Washington last February. Provincial premiers multiplied confederation meetings and agreed to reduce interprovincial trade barriers. Delegate Minister for the Economy Christopher Skeete also tabled Bill 112 promoting trade in goods and labour mobility from other provinces and territories of Canada.

Forestry

Forestry and its new regime

Seen as a necessary reform of the forestry industry by some and a missed opportunity by others, Bill 97 is stirring up conflict among groups that feel excluded from consultations. Many grey areas remain in this modernization of the forestry regime, which is anything but straightforward. However, discussions will have to wait until fall to continue with the detailed review.

It is worth recalling that Minister Blanchette Vézina had decided to hold in-camera consultations with certain groups, a move that did not please everyone. It will now be prohibited to create protected zones in the forest without government approval. A measure that is raising eyebrows among various Indigenous nations, who have already begun blocking access to forest roads in protest. This bill, which was supposed to resolve several disputes, seems instead to be driving division. This uncertainty even pushed one company to pause its operations, resulting in thousands of job losses.

Energy

Energy and its production

Energy also took centre stage in the debate when Quebec decreed a 3% increase in residential Hydro-Quebec rates by order-in-council, rejecting the Régie de l’énergie’s proposed 3.6% hike. A promise kept by Premier François Legault. Small businesses now say they fear the resulting revenue loss will show up on their bills.

Meanwhile, the passage of Bill 69 required the use of closure on the very last day of the parliamentary session. Why? The government argues this expedited adoption will prevent $6B in losses. Aimed at doubling electricity production by 2035 with investments of nearly $200B, the bill grants Hydro-Quebec greater freedom and limits the power of the Régie de l’énergie. Opposition parties criticized the bill, denouncing a denationalization of Hydro-Quebec, the risk of rate increases, and conflicts of interest. Despite 150 hours of debate and several amendments, the adoption was mired in controversy.

Labour

Labour and its strikes

Bill 89, which aims to better account for the needs of the public in the event of a strike or lockout, was finally adopted at the end of May by members of the legislature. Modelled after the Canada Labour Code and its well-known Section 107, the Legault government sought to tighten the rules by placing the Quebec public, who can sometimes bear the brunt of pressure tactics, back at the centre of the debate.

Unions thus find one of their bargaining levers modified. Following the recent strikes in education, childcare centres, construction, and other sectors, this is potentially the CAQ bill that has received the broadest public support.

Transportation

The SAAQ and the digital transition

Under the shadow of the Gallant Commission of Inquiry, the SAAQclic scandal continues to reveal one questionable decision after another. A string of highly dubious choices ultimately cost MNA Éric Caire his ministerial post.

This inquiry into the fiasco surrounding the CASA program, whose cost overruns have reached $1.1B, is far from finished making headlines or provoking strong reactions from opposition parties. The controversial contract, signed after tense negotiations, illustrates the shortcomings of the Crown corporation’s digital shift. What will we learn from this project, which was intended to modernize information systems? Will the Health Ministry try to avoid a similar failure with the Digital Health Record?

Conclusion

A fall with an electoral flavour (again)

The next session is shaping up to be quite eventful, as rumours of a cabinet shuffle are once again making the rounds. Word is that Premier Legault should restructure his cabinet, which has been virtually unchanged since 2018, to make room for some of the players who want to position themselves ahead of the 2026 election. In his review, the Premier states that he will still be at the helm of the CAQ for the next vote, attempting to silence those who claim otherwise. With polling numbers at record lows, we are likely to see significant movement within CAQ ranks, both in the spotlight and behind the scenes among strategists.

The Arthabaska by-election will also have an impact. The PCQ could finally succeed in electing an MNA, with Éric Duhaime on the ballot. The PQ could achieve a three-for-three in by-elections thanks to its candidate, Alex Boissonneault, who has not gone unnoticed. Meanwhile, the CAQ could face results as disastrous as those in Terrebonne.

For the PLQ, nothing is settled, with a new leader set to shake things up. Will a potential victory by Pablo Rodriguez bring the national question back to the forefront? Finally, Québec solidaire has been struggling since Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois stepped down as co-spokesperson. Who will take the reins alongside Ruba Ghazal? Several names have been mentioned, but none has clearly emerged.

The fall will also be marked by municipal elections, where we will certainly see former MNAs enter the race. In Montreal, who will succeed Valérie Plante? In Quebec City, will Mayor Marchand hold on to his post? Many more questions will continue to take shape over the summer, only to return in full force come September.

And now? It is time to plan and seize the opportunities of the summer break.