Quebec National Assembly adjourns; October election campaign launches end of August
Lawmakers finished a turbulent spring session after passing major bills on femicide prevention and energy drinks for youth.
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Quebec's National Assembly adjourned Friday, June 12, for its summer break, clearing the way for provincial election campaigning ahead of the October 5 vote. Party leaders used the final sitting day to outline priorities as the campaign officially launches at the end of August.
Premier Christine Fréchette, sworn in 58 days ago following François Legault's departure, told the legislature: "During my swearing-in ceremony, I made a clear commitment to all Quebecers faced with uncertainty, I decided to focus on their priorities and deliver results."
Lawmakers raced through a backlog of bills in the final days. Among the most significant: the Gabie Renaud Law, allowing individuals to request information about a current or former partner's history of violent behavior when safety concerns exist; and Bill 9, making Quebec the first Canadian jurisdiction to prohibit energy drink sales to anyone under 16.
Other measures approved include regulations on ticket resale, reduced regulatory burdens for businesses, and Bill 23, which expands criteria for involuntary hospitalization during mental health crises.
One notable failure: the CAQ government's proposed Quebec Constitution did not complete the parliamentary process before adjournment. Political analyst Daniel Tran, director of communications at Casacom, described the session as a "big roller coaster," noting that some bills required acceleration while others needed time to ensure no unintended population impacts.
The campaign will dominate the next three months before voters head to the polls.