m-30 - Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif

Updated to 20 December 2000

This document has official status.

chapter M-30

Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif

DIVISION I ORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT

1984, c. 47, s. 107.

1. The Ministère du Conseil exécutif shall be presided over by the Prime Minister.

R. S. 1964, c. 16, s. 1; 1977, c. 5, s. 14; 1977, c. 14, s. 1; 1984, c. 47, s. 108.

1.1. The Secretary General of the Conseil exécutif is ex officio Deputy Minister of the Ministère du Conseil exécutif.

1984, c. 47, s. 109.

1.2. Under the direction of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Minister shall administer the department.

He shall, in addition, perform any other duty assigned to him by the Government or the Prime Minister.

1984, c. 47, s. 109.

1.3. In the discharge of his duties, the Deputy Minister has the authority of the Prime Minister.

1984, c. 47, s. 109.

1.4. The Deputy Minister may, in writing, on the conditions, to the extent and for the period he indicates, delegate or subdelegate all or part of the responsibilities vested in him pursuant to this Act.

1984, c. 47, s. 109.

1.5. The staff of the department consists of the public servants required for the discharge of the Prime Minister’s duties; in virtue of this Act, they are appointed in accordance with the Public Service Act (chapter F-3.1.1).

The Prime Minister shall determine the duties of his public servants where they are not determined by law or by the Government.

1984, c. 47, s. 109; 2000, c. 8, s. 242.

2. No deed, document or writing shall bind the department or be attributed to the Prime Minister in his capacity as Chairman of the department unless it is signed by him, by the Deputy Minister or by a functionary, and only, as regards the latter, to the extent determined by regulation of the Government published in the Gazette officielle du Québec.

The Government may, however, upon the conditions it fixes, allow the required signature to be affixed by means of an automatic device to such documents as it determines.

The Government may also allow a facsimile of the required signature to be engraved, lithographed or printed on such documents as it determines; in such case, the facsimile has the same force as the signature itself if the document is countersigned by a person authorized by the Prime Minister.

1977, c. 14, s. 2; 1977, c. 5, s. 14.

3. Every copy of a document from the records of the department, certified true by a person authorized to sign that document in conformity with the first paragraph of section 2, is authentic and has the same force as the original.

1977, c. 14, s. 2.

DIVISION I.1 STANDARDS OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

1997, c. 6, s. 1.

§ 1 . — Public office holders

1997, c. 6, s. 1.

3.0.1. Public office holders shall be subject to the standards of ethics and professional conduct enacted by government regulation, including those relating to remuneration.

The following persons are public office holders:

(1)  the members of the board of directors of, and members of, a government agency or government corporation within the meaning of the Auditor General Act (chapter V-5.01) other than a legal person less than 100% of the voting shares of which are held by a government agency or government corporation to which this subparagraph applies, and the persons holding administrative offices provided for by law within such an agency or corporation;

(2)  the persons appointed or designated by the Government or by a minister to an office within any agency or corporation that is not a public body within the meaning of the Auditor General Act to whom subparagraph 1 does not apply.

A person already governed by standards of ethics or professional conduct under the Public Service Act (chapter F-3.1.1) shall, in addition, be subject to the standards prescribed under this division where that person’s position is that of a public office holder.

This section does not apply to judges of a court within the meaning of the Courts of Justice Act (chapter T-16), to bodies every member of which is a judge of the Court of Québec, to the Conseil de la magistrature or to the committee on the remuneration of the judges of the Court of Québec and the municipal courts. Nor does this section apply to the Conseil de la justice administrative, the Administrative Tribunal of Québec and its members, adjudicative bodies in respect of which the Conseil is conferred jurisdiction by the law over the hearing of complaints against one of their members for a breach of professional conduct, or the members of those bodies.

1997, c. 6, s. 1; 1997, c. 43, s. 361; 1997, c. 84, s. 9.

3.0.2. The regulations made under section 3.0.1 may

(1)  prescribe standards that vary according to the various classes of agencies, corporations or persons to which they apply or that apply only to certain classes of them;

(2)  prescribe the rules with which public office holders are required to comply after the expiry of their term of office, and the period of compliance;

(3)  regulate or prohibit certain practices relating to the remuneration of public office holders;

(4)  require the members of the board of directors of, or members of, a government agency or a government corporation referred to in subparagraph 1 of the second paragraph of section 3.0.1 to establish, in conformity with the standards prescribed by the regulations, a code of ethics and professional conduct applicable to the persons referred to in that subparagraph and specify the matters to be addressed by the codes; the codes may prescribe standards that vary according to the various classes of persons to which they apply or that apply only to certain classes among them;

(5)  establish the authorities responsible for, and the procedure governing, examinations of and inquiries into alleged or actual conduct that may be in contravention of the law, the regulations or the codes of ethics and professional conduct, prescribe appropriate penalties and determine the authorities that are to determine or impose such penalties;

(6)  determine the terms and conditions according to which public office holders may be temporarily relieved of their duties.

The Government may, by regulation and according to the terms it determines, extend the jurisdiction of an existing authority or of its members to include the jurisdiction under subparagraph 5 of the first paragraph.

The government agency or government corporation must ensure public access to the code and publish it in its annual report.

The annual report shall, in addition, state the number of cases dealt with and the follow-up thereon and set out any breaches determined during the year by the disciplinary authorities, the determination thereof, any penalties imposed by the competent authorities and the names of any public office holders revoked or suspended during the year.

1997, c. 6, s. 1.

§ 2 . — Government agencies and government corporations

1997, c. 6, s. 1.

3.0.3. The members of the board of directors of, and members of, every government agency or government corporation not referred to in subparagraph 1 of the second paragraph of section 3.0.1 must establish a code of ethics and professional conduct which is applicable to them.

The members of the board of directors of, and members of, every government agency or government corporation must establish a code of ethics and professional conduct applicable to every person who, at the request of the agency or corporation, acts as a director or member of any agency or corporation that is not a government agency or a government corporation.

Such codes shall set out the duties and obligations of the persons to which they apply, and may prescribe standards that vary according to the various classes of persons to which they apply or that apply only to certain classes of persons. Such codes must, among other things,

(1)  include preventive measures, in particular rules for the disclosure of interests;

(2)  deal with the identification of situations of conflict of interest;

(3)  regulate or prohibit practices relating to remuneration;

(4)  specify the duties and obligations of persons even after they leave office;

(5)  include enforcement mechanisms, in particular the designation of the persons charged with the enforcement of the code and provide for penalties.

The government agency or government corporation must ensure public access to the codes, and publish them in its annual report.

The annual report shall, in addition, state the number of cases dealt with and the follow-up thereon and set out any breaches determined during the year by the disciplinary authorities, the determination thereof, any penalties imposed by the competent authorities and the names of any persons revoked or suspended during the year.

1997, c. 6, s. 1.

§ 3 . — Health and social services and education sectors

1997, c. 6, s. 1.

3.0.4. The members of the board of directors, or of the entity acting as such, of every body referred to below must establish a code of ethics and professional conduct which is applicable to them:

(1)  every educational institution at the university level referred to in paragraphs 1 to 11 of section 1 of the Act respecting educational institutions at the university level (chapter E-14.1);

(2)  every general and vocational college established under the General and Vocational Colleges Act (chapter C-29);

(3)  every private institution accredited for the purposes of subsidies under the Act respecting private education (chapter E-9.1);

(4)  every other educational institution more than half of whose operating expenses are paid out of appropriations appearing in the budget estimates tabled in the National Assembly;

(5)  every public or private institution that is a party to an agreement and every regional board referred to in the Act respecting health services and social services (chapter S-4.2);

(6)  the regional council established under the Act respecting health services and social services for Cree Native persons (chapter S-5).

The code shall set out the duties and obligations of the persons to which it applies, and may prescribe standards that vary according to the various classes of persons to which they apply or that apply only to certain classes of persons. The code must, among other things,

(1)  include preventive measures, in particular rules for the disclosure of interests;

(2)  deal with the identification of situations of conflict of interests;

(3)  regulate or prohibit practices relating to remuneration;

(4)  specify the duties and obligations of persons even after they leave office;

(5)  include enforcement mechanisms, in particular the designation of the persons charged with the enforcement of the code and provide for penalties.

The institution, college, board or council must ensure public access to the code, and publish it in its annual report.

The annual report shall, in addition, state the number of cases dealt with and the follow-up thereon and set out any breaches determined during the year by the disciplinary authorities, the determination thereof, any penalties imposed by the competent authorities and the names of any persons revoked or suspended during the year.

1997, c. 6, s. 1.

§ 4 . — Various provisions

1997, c. 6, s. 1.

3.0.5. Persons or authorities charged, pursuant to this division, with examining or inquiring into alleged or actual conduct that may be contrary to standards of ethics or professional conduct, or charged, pursuant to this division, with determining or imposing appropriate penalties, may not be prosecuted by reason of acts performed in good faith in the performance of their duties.

1997, c. 6, s. 1.

3.0.6. Any person who derives a benefit as a result of a failure to comply with any standard of ethics or professional conduct established under this division is liable to the State for the value of the benefit derived.

1997, c. 6, s. 1.

DIVISION II CANADIAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

The Minister responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie is responsible for the administration of Division II of this Act. Order in Council 37-2016 dated 28 January 2016, (2016) 148 G.O. 2 (French), 1259.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

§ 1 . — General provisions

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.1. The Prime Minister or the Minister designated by the Government in accordance with section 9 of the Executive Power Act (chapter E-18), hereinafter called “the Minister”, is responsible for the administration of this division.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.2. The Minister shall elaborate and propose to the Government a policy on Canadian intergovernmental affairs, and shall implement it.

The Minister shall advise the Government on any question relating to Canadian intergovernmental relations; he is the depositary of the original copy of every Canadian intergovernmental agreement and of a true copy of every other agreement and, as such, he shall establish a bureau des ententes and prescribe the method of registration of such agreements.

The Minister shall analyse the information gathered by the departments and agencies of the Government and by the offices established under section 3.15, the programs and policies of the Government of Canada and of the governments of the other provinces, and the federal and provincial Acts.

The Minister shall promote information about Québec in the other provinces and shall propose and implement measures of all kinds to further its influence there.

The Minister shall establish and maintain such relations with other governments in Canada and their departments or agencies as the Gouvernement du Québec considers it expedient to have with them.

The Minister is responsible for the activities carried on in Canada, outside Québec, by the Government, its departments and agencies. In that connection, he and each minister concerned may agree upon the manner in which they will cooperate. He may also recommend that the Government entrust the responsibility for certain of those activities to another minister.

1984, c. 47, s. 110; 1988, c. 41, s. 72.

3.3. It is the duty of the Minister, in agreement with the interested departments and agencies, to promote the interests of Québec and the cultural, economic and social development of the people of Québec by the establishment of Canadian intergovernmental relations.

1984, c. 47, s. 110; 1988, c. 41, s. 73.

3.4. The Minister is responsible for official communications between the Gouvernement du Québec and other governments in Canada; he shall, for that purpose, maintain the necessary liaison with their representatives in the territory of Québec.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.5. The Minister, in conducting Canadian intergovernmental affairs, shall see that the constitutional jurisdiction of Québec is respected.

The Minister shall furthermore ensure the participation of the Government in the preparation and implementation in Canada of federal policies and programs affecting the development of Québec and, for that purpose, favour intergovernmental cooperation.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.5.1. The Minister shall identify the policies and programs of the Government of Canada and of the governments of the other provinces which may have an impact financially, economically or otherwise in Québec, and assess them in cooperation with the departments and agencies concerned.

1988, c. 41, s. 74.

3.6. The Minister shall cooperate with the other departments of the Government for the implementation in Canada, outside Québec, of policies for which they are responsible, namely, in the sectors of immigration, education, industry and commerce, communications and cultural affairs.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.6.1. The Minister shall devise and propose to the Government programs of cooperation with French-speaking Canadians outside Québec, and see to their implementation.

1988, c. 41, s. 75.

The Minister of the French Language is responsible for the administration of section 3.6.1 of this Act. Order in Council 121-2024 dated 7 February 2024, (2024) 156 G.O. 2 (French), 1091.

§ 2 . — Canadian intergovernmental and other agreements

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.7. The Minister shall oversee the negotiation of Canadian intergovernmental agreements and their implementation and administer the programs of intergovernmental exchanges resulting therefrom, except as provided by the Government.

The programs of exchanges contemplated in the first paragraph shall be elaborated, in agreement with the Minister, by the departments and agencies in the fields of their jurisdiction.

In this subdivision, the words “intergovernmental agreement” mean an agreement made between the Government or one of its departments or agencies and another government in Canada or one of its departments or agencies.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.8. Notwithstanding any other legislative provision, Canadian intergovernmental agreements must, to be valid, be approved by the Government and be signed by the Minister.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.9. When a person other than the Minister may, by law, enter into Canadian intergovernmental agreements, the signature of such a person continues to be required to give effect to the agreements unless otherwise ordered by the Government.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.10. The Government may authorize the Minister to be sole signatory to a Canadian intergovernmental agreement which another person is empowered by law to conclude. In such a case, the signature of the Minister shall have the same effect as that of the person empowered.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.11. Except to the extent expressly provided for by law, no school board, municipality or metropolitan community nor any legal person or agency to which it appoints the majority of the members or contributes over one-half of the financing, nor any group formed of such boards, municipalities, communities, legal persons or agencies shall

(1)  negotiate or enter into an agreement with a government in Canada, or a department or agency of any such government;

(2)  circumvent the prohibition enacted by subparagraph 1 by permitting or tolerating that it be affected by an agreement made between a third person and a government, a department or an agency contemplated in the said subparagraph.

Contravention of subparagraph 1 of the first paragraph entails the nullity of the agreement. Contravention of subparagraph 2 of the said paragraph entails, in respect of the board, municipality, community, legal person, agency or group, the nullity of any provision of the agreement having any effect whatever in its respect.

However, a school board may negotiate or enter into an agreement on behalf of the Government with its prior authorization.

1984, c. 47, s. 110; 1988, c. 41, s. 76; 1988, c. 84, s. 664; 1990, c. 85, s. 119; 1999, c. 40, s. 191; 2000, c. 56, s. 218.

3.12. No public agency, nor any legal person or agency to which a public agency appoints the majority of the members or contributes over one-half of the financing, nor any group formed of such public agencies, legal persons or agencies may, without the prior written authorization of the Minister, enter into any agreement with another government in Canada, or with a department or agency of any such government.

Contravention of the provisions of the first paragraph entails the nullity of the agreement.

The Minister, with the accord of the minister responsible for or the minister who subsidizes the public agency, shall see to the negotiation of the agreement.

In this section, “public agency” means a legal person or agency not contemplated in section 3.11 to which the Government or a minister appoints the majority of the members, to which, by law, the officers or employees are appointed in accordance with the Public Service Act (chapter F-3.1.1) or more than half of whose resources are derived from the consolidated revenue fund.

1984, c. 47, s. 110; 1988, c. 41, s. 77; 1999, c. 40, s. 191; 2000, c. 8, s. 242.

3.13. The Government, to such extent and subject to such conditions as it determines, may exempt the whole or a part of an agreement or class of agreements which it designates from the application of this Act.

Agreements entered into within the scope of relations established by the National Assembly with parliamentary institutions are in particular excluded from this Act.

1984, c. 47, s. 110; 1988, c. 41, s. 78.

§ 3 . — Representation of Québec in Canada

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.14. The Minister has the direction of Québec representation in Canada.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.15. The Minister may, with the approval of the Government, establish offices in Canada, outside Québec, and appoint heads of post to them.

1984, c. 47, s. 110; 1988, c. 41, s. 79.

3.16. Only the Minister, the Deputy Minister or the Associate Secretary General of the Conseil exécutif designated by the latter may assign a person in Canada, outside Québec, to perform duties within an office there.

Only the Minister, the Deputy Minister or the Associate Secretary General of the Conseil exécutif designated by the latter or a person designated by any of them may recruit a person in Canada, outside Québec, to perform duties within an office there.

The persons so assigned or recruited shall perform their duties under the authority of the head of post.

The Minister, the Deputy Minister or the Associate Secretary General of the Conseil exécutif designated by the latter shall assign or recruit a person in Canada, outside Québec, after consulting with the minister concerned, if any; a person designated by any of them to recruit a person in Canada, outside Québec, shall do so after consulting with the minister concerned, if any.

1984, c. 47, s. 110; 1988, c. 41, s. 80.

3.17. Notwithstanding subparagraph 2 of the first paragraph of section 2 of the Act respecting government services to departments and public bodies (chapter S-6.1) and sections 18 and 19 of the Act respecting the Société immobilière du Québec (chapter S-17.1), the Minister shall provide the heads of post and persons assigned in Canada, outside Québec, with the premises, the staff and the services necessary for the performance of their duties.

The Minister is responsible in particular for the acquisition, lease and management generally of the required property and he may, for such purpose,

(1)  build or maintain any property;

(2)  acquire, sell, alienate or lease any property or any real right;

(3)  with the authorization of the Government on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance, contract any loan or offer as security any property or any real right.

1984, c. 47, s. 110; 1986, c. 52, s. 19; 1988, c. 41, s. 81; 1991, c. 4, s. 3; 1994, c. 18, s. 43; 1999, c. 40, s. 191.

3.18. The head of post shall exercise his functions under the authority of the Deputy Minister or the Associate Secretary General of the Conseil exécutif that he designates.

The head of post shall supervise and manage the personnel of the office under his responsibility.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.19. (Repealed).

1984, c. 47, s. 110; 1988, c. 41, s. 82.

3.20. The Conseil du trésor shall determine, after consultation with the Minister, the conditions of employment specifically related to the assignment in Canada, outside Québec, of any class of persons.

The Conseil du trésor shall also determine the employment plan applicable to persons recruited outside Québec.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.21. Every official delegation of Québec to a federal-provincial or interprovincial ministerial conference shall be constituted and commissioned by the Government.

No person shall, at an intergovernmental conference or meeting in Canada, take a position in the name of the Government, unless he has received an express mandate for such purpose given under the authority of the Minister. The same rule applies to every mission sent in the name of the Government to another government in Canada or to a department or agency of such a government.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

3.22. Within the framework of the agreements or ententes for cooperation made by the Gouvernement du Québec with another government in Canada, the Minister shall in cooperation with the interested departments see to the elaboration and implementation of cooperation programs in sectors where exchanges are most likely to promote the cultural and economic development and influence of Québec.

1984, c. 47, s. 110.

DIVISION III

Repealed, 1997, c. 91, s. 52.

1992, c. 24, s. 1; 1997, c. 91, s. 52.

3.23. (Repealed).

1992, c. 24, s. 1; 1997, c. 91, s. 52.

3.24. (Repealed).

1992, c. 24, s. 1; 1997, c. 91, s. 52.

3.25. (Repealed).

1992, c. 24, s. 1; 1997, c. 91, s. 52.

3.26. (Repealed).

1992, c. 24, s. 1; 1997, c. 91, s. 52.

3.27. (Repealed).

1992, c. 24, s. 1; 1997, c. 91, s. 52.

3.28. (Repealed).

1992, c. 24, s. 1; 1997, c. 91, s. 52.

3.29. (Repealed).

1992, c. 24, s. 1; 1997, c. 91, s. 52.

DIVISION III.1 ASSISTANCE FUND FOR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY ACTION

The Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity is responsible for the administration of Division III.1 of this Act as regards independent community action. Order in Council 32-2016 dated 22 February 2016, (2016) 148 G.O. 2 (French), 1257.

The Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie is responsible for the administration of Division III.1 of this Act as regards international humanitarian action. Order in Council 367-2014 dated 24 April 2014, (2014) 146 G.O. 2 (French), 1875.

1995, c. 66, s. 1.

3.30. A fund to be known as the assistance fund for independent community action is hereby established for the purpose of financing assistance for independent community action.

1995, c. 66, s. 1.

3.31. The Government shall determine the date on which the fund begins to operate, its assets and liabilities and the nature of the expenses chargeable to it.

1995, c. 66, s. 1.

3.32. The Prime Minister, or such other minister as the Government designates in accordance with section 9 of the Executive Power Act (chapter E-18), hereinafter referred to as the Minister, is responsible for the administration of this division.

1995, c. 66, s. 1.

3.33. The fund shall be made up of the following sums, except interest:

(1)  the sums paid into the fund by the Société des loteries du Québec under section 22.1 of the Act respecting the Société des loteries du Québec (chapter S-13.1);

(2)  the gifts, legacies and other contributions paid into the fund to further the achievement of the objects of this division;

(3)  the advances paid into the fund by the Minister of Finance under the first paragraph of section 3.35;

(4)  the sums paid into the fund by a minister out of the appropriations granted for that purpose by Parliament.

1995, c. 66, s. 1.

3.34. The management of the sums constituting the fund shall be entrusted to the Minister of Finance. The sums shall be paid to the order of the Minister of Finance and deposited with the financial institutions he designates.

The Minister shall keep the books of account of the fund and record the financial commitments chargeable to it. The Minister shall also ensure that such commitments and the payments arising therefrom do not exceed and are consistent with the available balances.

1995, c. 66, s. 1; 2000, c. 15, s. 132.

3.35. The Minister of Finance may, with the authorization of the Government and subject to the conditions it determines, advance to the fund sums taken out of the consolidated revenue fund.

The Minister of Finance may, conversely, advance to the consolidated revenue fund, on a short-term basis and subject to the conditions he determines, any part of the sums constituting the assistance fund for independent community action that is not required for its operation.

Any advance paid into a fund is repayable out of that fund.

1995, c. 66, s. 1.

3.36. The Minister may, as manager of the fund, grant financial assistance directly to community action organizations or pay financial assistance on behalf of government departments to enable them to intensify their community assistance operations.

The Minister may also pay financial assistance for the purposes of international humanitarian assistance, to the extent determined by the Government, out of the sums referred to in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of section 3.33 and in the second paragraph of section 22.1 of the Act respecting the Société des loteries du Québec (chapter S-13.1).

1995, c. 66, s. 1.

3.37. The sums required for the following purposes shall be paid out of the fund:

(1)  the payment of the sums referred to in section 3.36;

(2)  the payment of any expense incurred for the carrying out of the functions entrusted to the Minister by this division, including the payment of the remuneration and the expenses pertaining to the social benefits and other conditions of employment of the persons assigned, in accordance with the Public Service Act (chapter F-3.1.1), to activities related to the fund.

1995, c. 66, s. 1.

3.38. Sections 20, 21 and 26 to 28, Chapters IV and VI and sections 89 and 90 of the Financial Administration Act (chapter A-6.001) apply to the fund, with the necessary modifications.

1995, c. 66, s. 1; 2000, c. 8, s. 171; 2000, c. 15, s. 133.

3.39. The fiscal year of the fund ends on 31 March.

1995, c. 66, s. 1.

3.40. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Minister of Finance shall, in the event of a deficiency in the consolidated revenue fund, pay out of the assistance fund for independent community action the sums required for the execution of a judgment against the State that acquired the authority of res judicata.

1995, c. 66, s. 1; 1999, c. 40, s. 191.

3.41. The Minister shall table in the National Assembly a report on the operations of the fund for each fiscal year.

The Committee on the National Assembly shall designate the Committee that will study the report.

1995, c. 66, s. 1.

DIVISION III.2 NATIVE AFFAIRS

The Minister responsible for Native Affairs is responsible for the administration of Division III.2 of this Act. Order in Council 385-2014 dated 24 April 2014, (2014) 146 G.O. 2 (French), 1883.

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

§ 1 . — General provisions

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

3.42. The Prime Minister or the minister designated by the Government under section 9 of the Executive Power Act (chapter E-18), hereinafter referred to as `the Minister´, is responsible for the administration of this division.

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

3.43. The mission of the Minister is to promote the establishment and maintenance of harmonious relations with the Native nations and communities of Québec and to thereby foster their development in Québec. For that purpose, the Minister is responsible, among other duties, for the conclusion of all agreements relating to Native affairs.

In taking action, the Minister shall have regard to the aspirations, priorities and demands of the Native nations and communities.

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

3.44. The Minister shall elaborate, propose to the Government and implement a Native affairs policy.

The policy shall include measures to foster harmonious relations between the Government and the Native persons of Québec and to improve the economic, social and cultural conditions of the Native persons of Québec.

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

3.45. The Minister may establish and implement financial assistance programs designed to contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of the Native persons of Québec. Such programs require government approval.

The Minister shall administer the sums entrusted to the Minister for the carrying out of the programs and may grant financial assistance under the programs to any Native person or organization.

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

3.46. The Minister is the advisor of the Government and shall coordinate all government action as regards Native affairs.

The Minister may refer to the Government any matter related to Native affairs which, in the Minister’s opinion, calls for the intervention of the Government.

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

3.47. The Minister is also responsible for

(1)  providing general information to Native persons and informing the general public of government policies as regards Native affairs, and

(2)  fulfilling any other function assigned to the Minister by the Government.

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

§ 2 . — ­ Agreements relating to Native affairs

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

3.48. With due regard for the responsibilities conferred by this Act on the Minister referred to in section 3.1 and for those conferred on the Minister of International Relations by the Act respecting the Ministère des Relations internationales (chapter M‐25.1.1), the Minister shall oversee the negotiation of every agreement between the Government or any of its departments or agencies and a Native nation represented by the band councils of all the communities forming the Native nation, a Native community represented by its band council or by its council in the case of a Northern village, a group of communities so represented or any other Native group, and shall ensure that the agreement is implemented.

For the purposes of this subdivision, a legal person or agency to which the Government or a minister appoints the majority of the members, to which, by law, the officers or employees are appointed in accordance with the Public Service Act (chapter F‐3.1.1) or more than half of whose resources are derived from the Consolidated Revenue Fund is an agency of the Government.

1999, c. 67, s. 1; 2000, c. 8, s. 242.

3.49. Notwithstanding any other legislative provision, an agreement referred to in section 3.48 must, to be valid, be approved by the Government and signed by the Minister.

The Minister may authorize, in writing, any person to sign an agreement relating to Native affairs in the Minister’s name and the signature shall have the same effect as the Minister’s signature. The authorization may concern a specific agreement or a class of agreements.

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

3.50. When a person other than the Minister may, by law, enter into agreements relating to Native affairs, the signature of such a person continues to be required to give effect to the agreements, unless otherwise ordered by the Government.

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

3.51. The Government may authorize the Minister to be sole signatory to an agreement referred to in section 3.48 which another person is empowered by law to conclude. In such a case, the signature of the Minister shall have the same effect as that of the person empowered.

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

3.52. The Government, to such extent and subject to such conditions as it determines, may exempt the whole or a part of an agreement or class of agreements which it designates from the application of this division.

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

3.53. Except in the case of a Canadian intergovernmental or international agreement relating to Native affairs a true copy of which is held by the Minister, the Minister is the depositary of the original copy of every agreement referred to in this division. In that capacity, the Minister shall prescribe the mode of registration of agreements.

1999, c. 67, s. 1.

DIVISION IV ANNUAL REPORTS

1992, c. 24, s. 1.

4. Within six months following the end of each fiscal year, the Prime Minister shall table a report of the activities of the department for that fiscal year in the National Assembly, except those provided for in Divisions II and III.2, if the Assembly is in session; if it is not sitting, he shall table it within 30 days after the opening of the next session or after resumption.

1978, c. 18, s. 1; 1984, c. 47, s. 111; 1992, c. 24, s. 2; 1997, c. 91, s. 53; 1999, c. 67, s. 2.

4.1. The ministers responsible for the administration of Divisions II and III.2 shall table in the National Assembly a report on the activities of the department in the area of Canadian intergovernmental affairs or Native affairs, as the case may be, for each fiscal year, within six months of the end of that fiscal year if the Assembly is in session or, if it is not sitting, within 30 days of resumption.

1984, c. 47, s. 111; 1992, c. 24, s. 3; 1997, c. 91, s. 54; 1999, c. 67, s. 3.

5. (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 16 of the Revised Statutes, 1964, in force on 31 December 1977, is repealed effective from the coming into force of chapter M-30 of the Revised Statutes.