Parti Québécois Still Refusing Oath of Office to King as Quebec Legislature Resumes

Elected House Speaker Nathalie Roy is carried to her seat by Quebec Premier Francois Legault, right, as Quebec Solidaire Leader Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, left, and Quebec Liberal Party interim Leader Marc Tanguay applaud, Nov. 29, 2022 at the legislature in Quebec City. The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot

The three recently elected members of the Parti Québécois found themselves on the outside looking in today as Quebec’s legislature reopened without them.

The PQ members have refused to swear the oath of office to King Charles III since the October election, and as a consequence have been barred from taking their seats in the 125-seat legislature.

PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon told reporters today his three-member caucus won’t swear the “humiliating” oath, adding that they will try to enter the legislature on Thursday.

To sit, elected members must take two oaths of loyalty, one to the Quebec people and the other to the King, as required by the Canadian Constitution.

Outgoing Speaker François Paradis ruled in November that all elected members must take the oath to the King or risk expulsion from the legislature.

St-Pierre Plamondon called today on newly appointed Speaker Nathalie Roy to reconsider her predecessor’s decision.