The Coalition Avenir Québec’s controversial constitution bill died on the order paper after the parliamentary session in Quebec City ended [1, 2].

The failure to pass the legislation removes a key pillar of the CAQ government's current legislative agenda. Because the bill did not reach adoption before the session's close, its future remains uncertain as the province enters a period of heightened political instability.

The conclusion of the session occurred during the final week of June 2024 [1, 2]. The National Assembly of Quebec saw a mixture of emotional farewells from outgoing members and sharp political friction as the session wrapped up [1, 3].

Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette (CAQ) had been a primary figure in advancing the bill, but the legislation could not be adopted in time [1]. Political analyst Raphaël Melançon said the atmosphere in the assembly was marked by the tension of the upcoming provincial election [3].

Legislative deadlocks of this nature often occur when the governing party cannot secure enough support or time to navigate opposition challenges before a session expires. The bill's demise on the order paper means it must be reintroduced in a future session if the government wishes to pursue it further [1, 2].

The final days of the session were characterized by a contrast between the personal nature of departing members' speeches and the strategic maneuvering of the election season [3]. This friction highlighted the deep divisions regarding the province's constitutional direction, and the CAQ's approach to governance.

“The CAQ’s controversial Quebec constitution bill died on the order paper.”

The expiration of the constitution bill signals a significant legislative setback for the CAQ government. By failing to pass this measure before the session ended, the government loses momentum on a central ideological goal and enters the upcoming election cycle without the legal certainty the bill intended to provide.