Quebec's incoming PQ premier asks Crown's rep to skip cabinet's swearing-in

One after another, MNAs from different parties are being sworn in at Quebec's National Assembly. Pledging an oath of loyalty to the people of Quebec, not King Charles. The move has bipartisan support, but the ruling Parti Québécois wants to go even further in its anti-monarchy agenda. Quebec's lieutenant governor confirming she won't preside over the swearing-in ceremony of the new government's cabinet at the request of the incoming premier. In a letter to Manon Jeannot, Saint-Pierre Plamondon stated it was the party's wish that she not attend, writing, We firmly intend to abolish this monarchy in Quebec, both within our democratic institutions and in our civil society. While the Liberal Party refrained from swearing allegiance to the king, there is a big difference between being federalist and being monarchist. the official opposition isn't on board for full abolishment. These are institutions that exist in Quebec and in Canada, so we do respect these institutions. And getting rid of the monarchy isn't easy. It requires the unanimous consent of each and every province, plus the federal parliament. Saint-Pierre Plamondon has said he wants to reallocate the more than $1 million budget of the lieutenant governor to deal with issues like homelessness. This constitutional expert says that piecemeal approach instead of an outright abolishment may work in Saint-Pierre Plamondon's favor. There's space, there's room between those two extremities. But it's still a gamble. The 2022 law that made the oath to the king optional is now being contested in court. It is about preventing democratic backsliding in Quebec. If the injunction is granted, incoming MNAs who refuse the oath could be legally barred from taking their seats. Saint-Pierre-Plamondon, though, adamant, calling the monarchy an archaic symbol of British colonial domination. Sarah Levitt, CBC News, Montreal.