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QUEBEC – The three recently elected members of the Parti Québécois found themselves on the outside looking in today as Quebec’s legislature reopened without them.
The PQ members have refused to swear the oath of office to King Charles III since the October election, and as a consequence have been barred from taking their seats in the 125-seat legislature.
PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon told reporters today his three-member caucus won’t swear the “humiliating” oath, adding that they will try to enter the legislature on Thursday.
To sit, elected members must take two oaths of loyalty, one to the Quebec people and the other to the King, as required by the Canadian Constitution.
Outgoing Speaker François Paradis ruled in November that all elected members must take the oath to the King or risk expulsion from the legislature.
St-Pierre Plamondon called today on newly appointed Speaker Nathalie Roy to reconsider her predecessor’s decision.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 29, 2022.
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