Quebec premier-designate and party caucus swear loyalty to citizens, not the King

During Thursday’s swearing-in in Ottawa, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and 58 members of the Parti Québécois declared loyalty to the people of Quebec, bypassing the traditional oath to King Charles III under a law passed in December 2022. Lieutenant-Governor Manon Jeannotte was not present, and Plamondon announced plans to cut her office’s budget to fund homelessness programs. Constitutional experts question the legality of the oath substitution, and Lawrence David of the Public Interest Litigation Institute has sought an injunction to compel MNAs to swear to the King, with a hearing expected between Oct. 19 and Nov. 9.

The federal Department of Justice has not yet ruled on the matter, while Governor General Louise Arbour expressed doubt about the legality of refusing the royal oath. Opposition leader Charles Milliard also said he will not swear allegiance but hopes to avoid a constitutional crisis. The upcoming oath ceremonies for opposition members and the premier’s cabinet will test how the new government handles the lieutenant-governor’s ceremonial role.