Québec’s Fall Session Delayed: Understanding the Impact of Parliamentary Prorogation

The National Assembly of Québec was scheduled to return on September 16, 2025 for the start of the fall session but Premier François Legault had other plans. Instead, the CAQ leader has opted to prorogue, delaying the opening of parliamentary business until September 30. This two-week postponement is intended to give recently-appointed ministers sufficient time to review ministry files and settle into their new roles following a cabinet shuffle. While the delay might appear procedural, prorogation carries significant implications both for the government’s legislative agenda and for the Assembly’s work.

What does prorogation mean?

Prorogation formally ends the current parliamentary session and clears the legislative slate. Any bills or motions that have not completed the full legislative process “die on the order paper,” meaning they must be reintroduced if the government wishes to pursue them. The same applies to other parliamentary orders, such as mandates given to committees or members. For a short period, there will also be an absence of Question Period, reducing opportunities for the opposition members to hold the government to account.

The prorogation is carried out in the presence of the Lieutenant-Governor and followed by a new opening speech from the premier. This speech sets the tone for the new session, provides a roadmap of government priorities, and allows the premier to reset the policy agenda with a renewed sense of momentum. For Premier Legault, this moment will be an opportunity to underline new ideas and demonstrate unity within his refreshed team, just a year before voters head to the polls.

The fate of key government bills

The decision to prorogue leaves an air of uncertainty over several major pieces of legislation that had been tabled and, in some cases, already advanced through committee hearings. These bills were central to the government’s political strategy, and whether they will be reintroduced remains to be seen.

• Bill 112, on interprovincial trade and labour mobility. Presented in the broader pan-Canadian movement to ease trade between provinces and reduce reliance on the United States, this bill aims to lower interprovincial barriers and simplify the recognition of professional credentials. It has been presented but has not yet gone through consultations with stakeholders.

• Bill 109, on cultural sovereignty and francophone content discoverability. This proposal requires digital platforms and devices to give greater visibility to francophone content. Beyond its technical dimension, the bill reflects a political calculation: the government is eager to project strong nationalist credentials and curb the rise of the Parti Québécois in the polls. Bill 109 has been introduced but consultations have not yet taken place.à

• Bill 94, on secularism in education. Expanding restrictions on religious symbols in schools and strengthening French in internal communications, this legislation is also part of a conscious effort to earn favour with nationalist voters. The government is clearly hoping to replicate the success of its earlier secularism bill, which proved highly popular. Consultations with stakeholders have been held, and the bill is ready to move forward. The next stage would be a detailed study, if the bill returns.

• Bill 106, on collective responsibility for health care access. This bill reforms how physicians are remunerated, tying part of their pay to collective performance and automatically affiliating patients to clinics. The health minister has been locked in a standoff with physicians, while specialist doctors have begun pressure tactics. The premier has long stated his desire to overhaul the doctor compensation model, meaning it is unlikely this bill will be abandoned. Consultations are complete and the principle has been adopted, so it was ready for clause-by-clause study prior to prorogation.

  
  

Looking ahead

Prorogation offers the government an opportunity to reset the legislative agenda and highlight new priorities, but it also interrupts ongoing work and leaves key bills in limbo. When the Assembly reopens on September 30, Premier Legault’s inaugural address will reveal whether these flagship pieces of legislation will be revived, reshaped, or quietly sidelined. For observers, it will mark the real start of Québec’s fall political season and provide the clearest signal yet of where this government intends to go.