Politics · Canada · 1 day ago
Legal group asks court to restore Quebec lawmakers’ oath to the King
Quebec’s incoming premier, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, and the Parti Québécois are preparing to take office after winning the election.
A Quebec law no longer requires members of the National Assembly to swear allegiance to the King.
St-Pierre Plamondon has refused to take the oath before and says he does not plan to do so now.
The Public Interest Litigation Institute is asking a court to suspend the law temporarily, arguing that it conflicts with Canada’s Constitution.
The group says the constitutional oath requirement cannot be changed without the consent of the federal Parliament and every province.
The dispute matters because a court order could require St-Pierre Plamondon to take the oath before assuming office.
Lawyers for both sides are expected back in court later this month, and Quebec’s 44th legislature is scheduled to begin on November 17.
A legal group is asking a court to suspend Quebec’s law making the oath to the King optional for members of the National Assembly.
The Public Interest Litigation Institute argues the law is unconstitutional and seeks an interim injunction.
Premier-elect Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has previously refused to swear allegiance to the King and says he has no plans to take the oath.
The dispute comes as the Parti Québécois prepares to take office after its election victory.
The National Assembly’s 44th legislature is scheduled to begin on Nov. 17.
- Who
- The Public Interest Litigation Institute is challenging the law. The dispute involves premier-elect Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Quebec MNAs.
- What
- The legal group is seeking an interim injunction to suspend the law making the oath to the King optional.
- When
- The challenge was reported on Oct. 10, 2026. The legislature is scheduled to begin Nov. 17.
- Where
- Quebec.
- Why
- The group argues the law is unconstitutional and conflicts with constitutional requirements for the oath and for changes to the Constitution.
Public Interest Litigation Institute
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and the Parti Québécois
Constitutionality
Public Interest Litigation Institute
The institute argues Quebec’s law is unconstitutional and seeks to suspend it.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and the Parti Québécois
St-Pierre Plamondon says the oath is no longer required under the law.
Oath
Public Interest Litigation Institute
The institute says MNAs must swear allegiance to the King under the Canadian Constitution.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and the Parti Québécois
St-Pierre Plamondon has refused the oath and says he has no plans to take it.
Quebec’s law is unconstitutional. We’re challenging it and now we’re seeking this interim injunction to freeze it as soon as possible,
There’s nothing that obliges a consequence just because we didn’t swear an oath to the King of England.
Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon is well aware, as a lawyer, that we live in a democracy governed by a constitution, laws and that one cannot simply freely flout the rules that one does not agree with,
St-Pierre Plamondon refused to swear allegiance to the King and was initially denied entry to the National Assembly’s Blue Room.
The Parti Québécois won the election.
St-Pierre Plamondon met with his newly elected MNAs for their first caucus meeting.
Global News reported that the Public Interest Litigation Institute was seeking an interim injunction.
Lawyers for both sides are expected back in court to make their arguments.
Quebec’s 44th legislature is scheduled to begin.
- Legal group
- Public Interest Litigation Institute
- Founder
- Lawyer Lawrence David
- Proposed remedy
- Interim injunction to suspend Quebec’s law
- Affected oath
- Allegiance to the King
- Legislature
- 44th legislature scheduled to begin Nov. 17
Sources
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