E-18 - Executive Power Act

Updated to 1 January 2022

This document has official status.

chapter E-18

Executive Power Act

DIVISION I POWERS OF THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR

1. In matters within the jurisdiction of Québec, all powers, authorities and functions which, in respect of like matters, were vested in or exercisable by the Governors or Lieutenant-Governors of the several Provinces now forming part of the Dominion of Canada or any of the said Provinces, under commissions, instructions or otherwise, at or before the passing of the Union Act, are and shall be (so far as the Parliament of Québec has power thus to enact) vested in and exercisable by the Lieutenant-Governor or Administrator for the time being of Québec, in the name of Her Majesty or otherwise as the case may require; subject always to the royal prerogative as heretofore.

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 1.

2. Section 1 shall include the power of commuting and remitting sentences for offences against the laws of Québec, or offences over which the legislative authority of Québec extends.

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 2; 1999, c. 40, s. 128.

DIVISION I.1 OFFICE STAFF OF THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR

1978, c. 15, s. 123; 1984, c. 27, s. 62.

2.1. The Lieutenant-Governor may appoint his executive secretary and the other persons required for the orderly administration of his office.

1978, c. 15, s. 123; 1984, c. 27, s. 62.

2.2. The standards and scales according to which the executive secretary and the other members of the office staff of the Lieutenant-Governor are recruited, appointed and remunerated, as well as their other conditions of employment, are fixed by the Conseil du trésor.

1984, c. 27, s. 62.

DIVISION II CONSEIL EXÉCUTIF

3. The Conseil exécutif du Québec shall consist of such persons as the Lieutenant-Governor may appoint.

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 3; 1977, c. 5, s. 14.

4. The Lieutenant-Governor may appoint, under the Great Seal, from among the members of the Conseil exécutif, the following officials, who shall remain in office during pleasure:

(1)  a Prime Minister who shall, ex officio, be president of the Conseil;

(2)  Ministers of State;

(3)  a Minister charged with the administration of justice, called the Minister of Justice;

(4)  a Minister of International Relations;

(5)  a Minister of Culture and Communications;

(6)  a Minister of Finance;

(7)  a Minister of Revenue;

(8)  a Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife;

(9)  a Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Technology;

(10)  a Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food;

(11)  (subparagraph repealed);

(12)  a Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity;

(13)  a Minister of Health and Social Services;

(14)  a Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy;

(15)  (subparagraph repealed);

(16)  a Minister of Economy and Innovation;

(17)  a Minister of Transport;

(18)  a Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports;

(19)  (subparagraph repealed);

(20)  (subparagraph repealed);

(21)  (subparagraph repealed);

(22)  (subparagraph repealed);

(23)  Ministers-Delegate;

(24)  a Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks;

(25)  (subparagraph repealed);

(26)  (subparagraph repealed);

(27)  a Minister of Labour;

(28)  (subparagraph repealed);

(29)  (subparagraph repealed);

(30)  (subparagraph repealed);

(31)  a Minister of Public Security;

(32)  a Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities;

(33)  a Minister of Families, Seniors and the Status of Women;

(34)  (subparagraph repealed);

(35)  (subparagraph repealed);

(36)  (subparagraph repealed);

(37)  a Minister of Tourism;

(38)  the ministers responsible for administrative regions;

(39)  a Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.

The Government may also appoint as minister, in the same manner, from among the members of the Conseil exécutif, any other official whom it designates for the application of the second paragraph of section 9; such official shall remain in office during pleasure.

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 4; 1965 (1st sess.), c. 16, s. 19; 1966-67, c. 23, s. 4; 1966-67, c. 72, s. 17; 1968, c. 43, s. 17; 1968, c. 68, s. 18; 1969, c. 14, s. 13; 1969, c. 65, s. 13; 1969, c. 26, s. 7; 1970, c. 42, s. 12; 1971, c. 10, s. 1; 1972, c. 54, s. 13; 1973, c. 27, s. 13; 1973, c. 22, s. 23; 1975, c. 76, s. 9; 1976, c. 7, s. 1; 1977, c. 5, s. 14; 1979, c. 49, s. 12; 1979, c. 77, s. 18; 1979, c. 81, s. 18; 1981, c. 9, s. 42; 1981, c. 10, s. 17; 1982, c. 50, s. 18; 1982, c. 53, s. 18; 1982, c. 52, s. 199; 1983, c. 23, s. 108; 1983, c. 55, s. 140; 1983, c. 40, s. 70; 1984, c. 36, s. 37; 1984, c. 47, s. 205; 1985, c. 21, s. 97; 1985, c. 23, s. 24; 1986, c. 52, s. 16; 1986, c. 86, s. 23; 1988, c. 41, s. 56; 1988, c. 46, s. 1; 1990, c. 64, s. 28; 1992, c. 44, s. 81; 1992, c. 65, s. 43; 1993, c. 51, s. 33; 1994, c. 12, s. 38; 1994, c. 13, s. 11; 1994, c. 14, s. 12; 1994, c. 15, s. 30; 1994, c. 16, s. 21; 1994, c. 17, s. 55; 1994, c. 18, s. 39; 1996, c. 29, s. 43; 1996, c. 21, s. 47; 1997, c. 63, s. 128; 1997, c. 58, s. 44; 1997, c. 91, s. 51; 1999, c. 8, s. 23; 1999, c. 43, s. 9; 1999, c. 36, s. 158; 2001, c. 44, s. 26; 2003, c. 8, s. 4; 2003, c. 19, s. 187; 2003, c. 29, s. 147; 2005, c. 11, s. 23; 2005, c. 24, s. 35; 2005, c. 28, s. 195, s. 196; 2005, c. 37, s. 34; 2006, c. 3, s. 35; 2006, c. 8, s. 31; 2006, c. 25, s. 15; 2009, c. 26, s. 109; 2011, c. 16, s. 6; 2012, c. 5, s. 17; 2013, c. 28, s. 133; 2019, c. 29, s. 1; 2021, c. 33, s. 17.

The Minister of International Relations is designated under the name of Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie. The Ministère des Relations internationales is designated under the name of Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie. Order in Council 367-2014 dated 24 April 2014, (2014) 146 G.O. 2 (French), 1875.

The Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife is designated under the name of Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. The Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune is designated under the name of Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles. Order in Council 1290-2018 dated 18 October 2018, (2018) 150 G.O. 2 (French), 7384.

The Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity is designated under the name of Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity. The Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale is designated under the name of Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale. Order in Council 1292-2018 dated 18 October 2018, (2018) 150 G.O. 2 (French), 7385.

The Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy is designated under the name of Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire is designated under the name of Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation. Order in Council 1289-2018 dated 18 October 2018, (2018) 150 G.O. 2 (French), 7383.

The Minister of Labour is designated under the name of Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity. The Ministère du Travail is designated under the name of Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale. Order in Council 1292-2018 dated 18 October 2018, (2018) 150 G.O. 2 (French), 7385.

The Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports is designated under the name of Minister of Education. The Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport is designated under the name of Ministère de l’Éducation. Order in Council 653-2020 dated 22 June 2020, (2020) 152 G.O. 2 (French), 2934.

The Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks is designated under the name of Minister of Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change. The Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs is designated under the name of Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques. Order in Council 1-2019 dated 16 January 2019, (2019) 151 G.O. 2 (French), 309.

The Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities is designated under the name of Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration. The Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles is designated under the name of Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration. Order in Council 1457-2021 dated 24 November 2021, (2021) 153 G.O. 2 (French), 7390.

The Minister of Families, Seniors and the Status of Women is designated under the name of Minister of Families. The Ministère de la Famille, des Aînés et de la Condition féminine is designated under the name of Ministère de la Famille. Order in Council 1323-2018 dated 31 October 2018, (2018) 150 G.O. 2 (French), 7428; As regards Seniors, the Minister Responsible for Seniors and Informal Caregivers exercises the functions of the Minister of Families, Seniors and the Status of Women. Order in Council 1322-2018 dated 31 October 2018, (2018) 150 G.O. 2, 7427.

The Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology is designated under the name of Minister of Higher Education. The Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche, de la Science et de la Technologie is designated under the name of Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur. Order in Council 654-2020 dated 22 June 2020, (2020) 152 G.O. 2 (French), 2935; As regards research, science, innovation and technology, the Minister of Economy and Innovation exercises the functions of the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. Order in Council 1548-2021 dated 15 December 2021, (2022) 154 G.O. 2 (French), 180.

5. (Repealed).

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 5; 1977, c. 5, s. 14; 1986, c. 86, s. 24.

6. The Prime Minister shall be, exofficio, President of the Conseil exécutif.

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 6; 1965 (1st sess.), c. 11, s. 18; 1971, c. 10, s. 2; 1974, c. 7, s. 14; 1977, c. 5, s. 14.

7. In addition to the indemnities, allowances and other amounts and benefits to which he is entitled according to the Act respecting the conditions of employment and the pension plan of the Members of the National Assembly (chapter C-52.1),

(1)  the Prime Minister shall receive an annual indemnity equal to 105% of the annual indemnity contemplated in section 1 of the said Act;

(2)  each other member of the Conseil exécutif shall receive an annual indemnity equal to 75% of the annual indemnity contemplated in section 1 of the said Act;

(3)  (subparagraph replaced).

The Government shall establish, by regulation, the conditions, scales and terms of payment, to members of the Conseil exécutif, of a lump sum allowance for their official expenses and an allowance to cover their travel and living expenses and any other expenses related to their duties.

If the Prime Minister at the same time holds one of the offices mentioned in section 4, he shall not be entitled to any other indemnity and allowance for entertainment expenses than those attached to the function of Prime Minister.

1974, c. 7, s. 14; 1977, c. 5, s. 14; 1978, c. 11, s. 9; 1982, c. 66, s. 60; 1987, c. 109, s. 40.

8. The sums contemplated in section 7 shall be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

1974, c. 7, s. 14; 1982, c. 66, s. 61.

9. The Government may define the duties to be exercised by any member of the Conseil exécutif and change the name under which a minister or department is designated.

It may also transfer one or more branches of a department from the control of a minister to the control of another minister or entrust part of the duties of a minister to another minister, or allow a minister to exercise part of the functions of another, under the latter’s direction. The minister to whom branches or duties are so transferred or entrusted shall, with respect to such branches or duties, have the same powers and perform the same duties as the minister who formerly had the control of or responsibility for them, or the minister under whose direction he acts, as the case may be.

Every order in council adopted under the provisions of this section shall be in force from and after the date thereof and shall be afterwards published in the Gazette officielle du Québec.

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 7; 1971, c. 10, s. 3; 1977, c. 5, s. 14.

10. The Secretary-General, the Associate Secretaries-General and the Deputy Secretaries of the Conseil exécutif are appointed in accordance with the Public Service Act (chapter F-3.1.1).

The Secretary-General shall assist the Conseil in the performance of its duties; he shall have, with regard to the public servants of the Conseil, the powers assigned by the said Act to a Deputy Minister.

The Secretary-General may, in writing, on the conditions, to the extent and for the time he specifies, delegate or subdelegate all or part of the responsibilities vested in him under this section.

The Government may confer on every associate secretary-general of the Conseil exécutif the rank and privileges of deputy minister, which shall not be cause for the conferee to cease to discharge his duties under the authority of the Secretary-General of the Conseil exécutif.

1968, c. 12, s. 1; 1976, c. 7, s. 2; 1977, c. 5, s. 14; 1977, c. 14, s. 3; 1978, c. 15, s. 133, s. 140; 1983, c. 55, s. 141; 1992, c. 24, s. 4; 2000, c. 8, s. 242.

10.1. The Executive Secretary to the Prime Minister has the same rank and privileges as those of a deputy minister. This section does not grant him the classification of administrator of state within the meaning of the Public Service Act (chapter F-3.1.1).

1983, c. 55, s. 142.

11. (1)  The powers, duties and functions of the members of the Conseil exécutif, as well as those of the Prime Minister, may, by order in council, be, wholly or in part, temporarily conferred upon any member of the Conseil appointed in virtue of section 3; provided such member of the Conseil exécutif be or become a member of the National Assembly.

(2)  Any member of the Conseil exécutif may, by order in council, be appointed vice-president of the Conseil exécutif and charged, as such, with the duties and powers of the president of the Conseil when the latter is absent from the capital.

(3)  But every such member appointed under this section shall exercise his functions gratuitously.

(4)  The Government has and always had the power to fix the quorum of the Conseil exécutif.

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 8; 1968, c. 9, s. 67; 1977, c. 5, s. 14.

DIVISION II.0.1 SERVICES AVAILABLE TO A FORMER PRIME MINISTER

2018, c. 17, s. 1.

11.0.1. The following services are available to a former Prime Minister for one year after he leaves office:

(1)  protection provided in the territory of Québec by a person designated by the Minister of Public Security, and a vehicle provided by the Government;

(2)  protection provided by a person designated by the Minister of Public Security during a mission outside Québec sent on behalf of the Government, if the threat assessment of the Minister of Public Security warrants it;

(3)  continued use of the security and video surveillance systems for his residence, connected to the Sûreté du Québec’s surveillance station; and

(4)  administrative support comprising solely

(a)  an office with a usable area of not more than 100 m2, provided by the Société québécoise des infrastructures;

(b)  office and mobile telephone furniture, supplies and equipment corresponding to government standards, provided by the Ministère du Conseil exécutif; and

(c)  one or two persons of his choice, whose combined annual remuneration may not exceed the salary to which a political attaché is entitled at the maximum of the salary scale applicable to that position according to the scales determined by the Conseil du trésor in accordance with section 11.6, remunerated from an envelope reserved out of the maximum payroll authorized for the remuneration of the sitting Prime Minister’s entire office staff.

The period during which the services described in the first paragraph are available to a former Prime Minister is extended by three months, up to a total of one year, for each complete year he served as Prime Minister. If the period during which the former Prime Minister held office includes a fraction of a year, the extension for that fraction is calculated in proportion to the number of days it comprises.

2018, c. 17, s. 1.

11.0.2. The services described in subparagraph 4 of the first paragraph of section 11.0.1 are available to a former Prime Minister to ensure a transition after he leaves his former office as Prime Minister and to allow him to fulfill requests related to that office, particularly for educational, social, documentary or historical purposes. The services may not be used for personal, professional or partisan purposes.

For the purposes of subparagraph 4 of the first paragraph of section 11.0.1, the one-year period provided for in that section begins three months after the former Prime Minister leaves office or, if it is earlier, on the date on which any of the elements of administrative support mentioned in that subparagraph is first made available to the former Prime Minister. If the former Prime Minister remains a leader of a parliamentary group within the meaning of the Standing Orders of the National Assembly, the period begins, in the same manner, when the former Prime Minister leaves office as leader of such a parliamentary group.

2018, c. 17, s. 1.

11.0.3. The services mentioned in subparagraphs 1 and 3 of the first paragraph of section 11.0.1 may be made available to the former Prime Minister for a period exceeding the period provided for in that section if the threat assessment of the Minister of Public Security warrants it.

2018, c. 17, s. 1.

11.0.4. According to the means available, reception and support services are also available to a former Prime Minister during a mission outside Québec, on behalf of the Government or at the sitting Prime Minister’s request, to Canadian provinces or territories or to States where Québec is represented.

2018, c. 17, s. 1.

DIVISION II.1 PUBLICATION OF ORDERS

1982, c. 30, s. 175.

11.1. Government orders must be published in the Gazette officielle du Québec not later than thirty days after being made.

The Government may defer their publication for any grounds of public interest set forth in the orders.

1982, c. 30, s. 175.

11.2. The Government may, in cases prescribed by regulation, substitute for the complete text of the order a notice indicating the title of the order, the date on which it was made, its number and the number of pages it contains. The title must be sufficiently descriptive to allow the exercise of the right of access.

1982, c. 30, s. 175.

11.3. After obtaining the advice of the Commission d’accès à l’information, the secretary-general of the Conseil exécutif shall publish in the Gazette officielle du Québec, the text of a draft regulation contemplated in section 11.2, with notice that at the expiry of not less than forty-five days after the publication, the text will be submitted to the Government for approval.

1982, c. 30, s. 175.

11.4. Regulations passed under section 11.2 come into force on the date of their publication in the Gazette officielle du Québec or on any later date fixed therein.

1982, c. 30, s. 175.

DIVISION II.2 OFFICE STAFF OF MINISTERS

1983, c. 55, s. 143.

11.5. Every minister may appoint an executive secretary and any other person required for the orderly administration of his office.

1983, c. 55, s. 143.

11.6. The standards and scales according to which an executive secretary and the other members of an office staff are recruited, appointed and remunerated, as well as their other conditions of employment, are determined by the Conseil du trésor.

1983, c. 55, s. 143.

11.7. The Ethics Commissioner appointed under the Code of ethics and conduct of the Members of the National Assembly (chapter C-23.1) shall, by regulation, after consultation with the Premier, adopt rules of ethics applicable to office staff. The regulation is published in the Gazette officielle du Québec.

2010, c. 30, s. 123.

11.8. In response to a request in writing from an office staff member, the Ethics Commissioner shall provide a written advisory opinion, with reasons and any recommendations the Ethics Commissioner considers appropriate, on any matter respecting the obligations of the staff member under the rules of ethics.

The advisory opinion is confidential and may only be made public by the person who requested it or with the person’s written consent, subject to the power of the Ethics Commissioner to conduct an inquiry and report on the facts alleged in or discovered in connection with the request for an advisory opinion.

Section 88 of the Code of ethics and conduct of the Members of the National Assembly (chapter C-23.1) applies, with the necessary modifications, to an advisory opinion provided to an office staff member by the Ethics Commissioner.

2010, c. 30, s. 123.

11.9. The Ethics Commissioner may publish guidelines for the office staff regarding the application of the rules of ethics, provided that no personal information is included.

2010, c. 30, s. 123.

11.10. In response to a request in writing from the Premier, the Minister responsible, or on the Ethics Commissioner’s own initiative, the Ethics Commissioner may conduct an inquiry to determine whether an office staff member has violated the rules of ethics.

Sections 92 to 96 and 101 of the Code of ethics and conduct of the Members of the National Assembly (chapter C-23.1) apply, with the necessary modifications.

The inquiry report of the Ethics Commissioner is sent to the staff member concerned, the Minister responsible and the Premier. If applicable, the Ethics Commissioner informs the person who submitted the request for an inquiry of the Ethics Commissioner’s findings.

2010, c. 30, s. 123.

DIVISION III

(Repealed, 2010, c. 30, s. 124).

1999, c. 40, s. 128; 2010, c. 30, s. 124.

12. (Repealed).

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 9; 1972, c. 24, s. 2; 1977, c. 5, s. 14; 1999, c. 40, s. 128; 2010, c. 30, s. 124.

13. (Repealed).

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 10; 1968, c. 9, s. 68; 1977, c. 5, s. 14; 2010, c. 30, s. 124.

14. (Repealed).

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 11; 1965 (1st sess.), c. 80, a. 1; 1990, c. 4, s. 417; 2010, c. 30, s. 124.

15. (Replaced).

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 12; 1990, c. 4, s. 417.

16. (Replaced).

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 13; 1974, c. 11, s. 2; 1990, c. 4, s. 417.

DIVISION IV AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER GOVERNMENTS AND WITH MUNICIPALITIES

1996, c. 2, s. 674.

17. The Government may authorize the Minister of Health and Social Services to make with other governments and also with municipalities, any agreements which it deems conformable to the interests and the constitutional rights of Québec, for the joint execution of any project tending to safeguard and improve public health.

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 14; 1970, c. 42, s. 17; 1985, c. 23, s. 24; 1996, c. 2, s. 675.

18. Any municipality which is party to an agreement made in accordance with this division, may authorize, by resolution of its council, the acts and expenditure required for the execution of such agreement.

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 15; 1996, c. 2, s. 676.

19. The Gouvernement du Québec is authorized to make, out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as an advance, payment of the whole or part of the contributory share of any party to such agreement.

The sums thus advanced shall be repayable to the Consolidated Revenue Fund and shall be deposited therein as soon as collected by the Government.

R. S. 1964, c. 9, s. 16; 1977, c. 5, s. 14.

DIVISION V

This Division ceased to have effect on 17 April 1987.

20. (This section ceased to have effect on 17 April 1987).

1982, c. 21, s. 1; U. K., 1982, c. 11, Sch. B, Part I, s. 33.

REPEAL SCHEDULE

In accordance with section 17 of the Act respecting the consolidation of the statutes (chapter R-3), chapter 9 of the Revised Statutes, 1964, in force on 31 December 1977, is repealed effective from the coming into force of chapter E-18 of the Revised Statutes.