Marois ministry


The [2014 Quebec general election|]Marois ministry was the Cabinet formed by Quebec Premier Pauline Marois and held power from September 2012 until April 2014. The administration of the Parti Quebecois was officially formed on September 19, 2012, after the 2012 Quebec general election. This election brought 54 MNAs to the National Assembly of Quebec. As these MNAs did not occupy more than half of the seats, the government formed was a minority. The administration was defeated during the
general election on April 7, 2014.

Characteristics

The first cabinet of Pauline Marois consisted of 24 ministers - including the premier - of which 9 were women and 15 were men. The Chief Whip and the President of the caucus also participate in the Executive Council.
Political analysts in Quebec have, for the most part, identified that the minority government of the Parti Quebecois underwent two important stages. The first year in power was difficult for the party. Certain governmental actions were perceived incoherently by the populace, causing a drop in approval rating. Afterwards, however, the government improved in regards to public acceptance, a trend that began to appear halfway through 2013. The true turning point for Marois was the Lac-Mégantic derailment, in July 2013, which debuted the refocusing of governmental actions.1
Political scientist Jean-Herman Guay notes that this change in approach occurred in unison with a swing towards the center of the political spectrum. This alteration was associated with two budgets that controlled spending and raised certain prices. The recovery of the government also ameliorated with the tabling of the Charter of Values; hereafter, the government began to stand on its own two feet. " cornered the CAQ, which proposed a compromise, was not prepared for a political debate meant to destabilize the PQ", said political journalist Alec Castonguay in an article published at the beginning of the electoral campaign.1

Timeline

2012

  • September 19: Pauline Marois announces her cabinet and officials.2
  • September 20: Pauline Marois announces the closure of the Gentilly 2 nuclear plant.3
  • September 21: The government officially cancels the major section of Bill 78.4
  • October 30: The first session of the legislature begins.

2013

  • February 25 & 26: The Superior Teaching Standards Summit takes place in Montreal.
  • June 12: Bill 52, on palliative care, is tabled.
  • September 10: The government publicizes the proposition of a Charter of Values.
  • October 7: The unveiling of the Priorité emploi plan, meant to revive the economy.
  • October 10: The unveiling of the industrial policy of the Marois Administration.

2014

  • January 14: The beginning of parliamentary commission on the Charter of Québécois Values.
  • March 5: Pauline Marois calls an election before the end of her mandate.

Government composition

Composition as of September 2012

Reform in the cabinet as of September 21, 2012

  • Pierre Duchesne relinquishes his responsibility for Centre-du-Quebec. Yves-Francois Blanchet assists, but he is not admitted to the Executive Council.6
  • Bernard Drainville relinquishes his responsibility for Mauricie. This post is also occupied Yves-Francois Blanchet.

Reform in the cabinet as of October 18, 2012

  • Veronique Hivon resigns for health reasons.7
  • Nicolas Marceau therefore becomes Minister responsible for Lanaudiere.7

Reform in the cabinet as of December 4, 2012

  • Yves-Francois Blanchet becomes Minister for the Environment and officially becomes the Minister responsible for Centre-du-Quebec and Mauricie.
  • Veronique Hivon reprises her role as Minister of Social Services and Youth Protection and the Minister responsible for Lanaudiere.8
  • Marjolain Dufour becomes Chief Whip and Minister responsible for Côte-Nord.8
  • Sylvain Pagé becomes president of the caucus and becomes Minister responsible for the Laurentians.8