New Speaker To Be Elected in Quebec National Assembly

Quebec’s next speaker of the house could be veteran Liberal MNA Jacques Chagnon. He is to replace the outgoing speaker Yvon Vallières after a secret ballot is held this week.

Vallières resigned, stating that he could no longer cope with the endless unruly debates at Quebec’s legislature. The debates reached a climax last week when Vallières refused to force a Liberal to apologize for a controversial statement. While the Parti Québécois threatened to remove support for Vallières, the Liberals are accusing the PQ of initiating the crisis.

Although three candidates have come forward, it is expected that the Liberal majority will secure a win for Chagnon.