Political institutions
National Assembly and Executive Council
Québec’s parliamentary regime is based on British models. Legislative power is exercised by the National Assembly, made up of 125 Members elected in 125 electoral divisions in a single-winner plurality voting system.
Québec’s parliament, created in 1791, is one of the oldest in the world after the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is almost as old as the US Congress, and the same age as the French National Assembly.
The Executive Council, or cabinet, is made up of the Premier, the ministers with portfolio, the ministers of state and the ministers-delegate. Cabinet is the main decision-making arm of government, and directs its actions, defines its objectives, sees to the application of legislation, adopts regulations, and ensures the administration of the state. The cabinet and the Lieutenant Governor together form the Government of Québec.
For more information…
(Department of the Executive Council)
Municipalities
Québec’s municipalities have power to act in 11 areas: municipal finance, general administration, the environment, public health, safety and wellbeing, recreation and culture, territorial organization, the protection of persons and property, transportation, highways, urban planning and land planning and development.
Each local municipality is administered by a council, whose members are elected by the general population. A council comprises a mayor and, in general, at least six councillors in municipalities with a population under 20 000. Larger municipalities have more councillors. The mayor heads and directs the municipal council.
For more information…
(Department of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Use)
