Premier of Quebec

Premier of Quebec

Incumbent
Philippe Couillard
since April 23, 2014
Government of Quebec
Office of the Premier
Style The Honourable
Member of
Reports to National Assembly
Residence Price Building
Seat Quebec City
Appointer Lieutenant Governor of Quebec
Term length At Her Majesty's pleasure
Inaugural holder Pierre-Joseph-Olivier Chauveau
Formation July 15, 1867[1]
Salary $90,850 plus $95,393 (indemnity and allowances)[2]

The Premier of Quebec (French: Premier ministre du Québec (masculine) or Première ministre du Québec (feminine)) is the head of government of the Canadian province of Quebec. The current Premier of Quebec is Philippe Couillard of the Quebec Liberal Party, sworn in on April 23, 2014 following the 2014 election.

Selection and qualifications

The Premier of Quebec is appointed as president of the Executive Council by the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, the viceregal representative of the Queen in Right of Quebec. The Premier is most usually the head of the party winning the most seats in the National Assembly of Quebec, and is normally a sitting member of the National Assembly. An exception to this rule occurs when the winning party's leader fails to win the riding in which he or she is running. In that case, the premier would have to attain a seat by winning a by-election. This has happened, for example, to Robert Bourassa in 1985.

The role of the Premier of Quebec is to set the legislative priorities on the opening speech of the National Assembly. He or she represents the leading party and must have the confidence of the assembly, as expressed by votes on budgets and other matters considered as confidence votes.

The term "premier" is used in English, while French employs "premier ministre", which translates directly to "prime minister". In at least one instance, the term "Prime Minister of the Province of Quebec" was used in an English-language advertisement.[3] The term is also used for the Podium Ceremony of the annual Formula One Grand Prix du Canada in Montreal.

History

The Premiers of Quebec are chosen according to the principle of responsible government. This principle is a matter of constitutional convention, since the Constitution Act, 1867 does not mention it.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Nombre de premiers ministres et de gouvernements depuis 1867" (in French). National Assembly of Quebec. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  2. ↑ http://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/abc-assemblee/fonction-depute/indemnites-allocations.html
  3. ↑ Election ad published in The St. Maurice Valley Chronicle, on August 6, 1936.
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