Quebec lawyers seek court order forcing legislators to swear oath to King

Lawyers are seeking an emergency order from the Quebec Superior Court to compel newly elected members of the provincial legislature to swear an oath of allegiance to the King. Lawrence David and the Consumer Law Group are requesting a stay on a 2022 law that made the oath optional for Quebec legislators.

The legal challenge follows a recent election in which the Parti Québécois won a minority mandate. Party leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has stated he intends to refuse the oath again and is exploring further ways to sever ties with the monarchy, including reducing the role and funding of the lieutenant-governor.

David argues that without the oath, politicians are not constitutionally qualified to hold office, which could potentially render any laws they pass legally void. The 2022 legislation, known as Bill 4, amended the 1867 Constitution Act to exempt Quebec from the oath requirement after members of the Parti Québécois were previously barred from their seats for refusing it.