TL;DR
- Quebec reopened the National Assembly on May 5; Premier Christine Fréchette said her government will renew the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to shield Bill 96 (language law) and outlined early legislative priorities. (globalnews.ca)
- Quebec advanced the Quebec City tramway: tunnel excavation will start “in the coming weeks” (one year earlier) with $55M released; MIQ named project owner. (newswire.ca)
- U.S. Section 301 “excess capacity” hearings (May 5–8) got underway; aluminum testimony urged targeted action—relevant for Quebec exporters into the U.S. (ustr.gov)
- Montreal’s blue‑collar workers ousted their union president amid tense talks following April’s strike sequence; essential city services remain governed by tribunal orders. (tvanouvelles.ca)
- Culture: Montreal’s Sommets du cinéma d’animation runs May 11–16 at the Cinémathèque; the NFB is premiering new shorts and fielding a strong Canadian slate. (cinematheque.qc.ca)
National Assembly returns; Fréchette to renew the notwithstanding clause for Bill 96
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- As the Assembly reconvened on May 5, Premier Christine Fréchette said the first bill of the new session will renew the Charter’s override (notwithstanding clause) protecting elements of Bill 96 from court challenges. (globalnews.ca)
- Important context and background information
- Bill 96 strengthens French‑language rules and expanded OQLF powers in 2022; the override must be renewed periodically. The opening‑day record also shows an inaugural address and House business resuming. (globalnews.ca)
- Recent developments or changes
- Expect the renewal bill early in the session, alongside other priorities flagged in the opening speech. (globalnews.ca)
Quebec City tramway: tunnel excavation brought forward; MIQ named project owner
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- The government announced on May 5 that excavation for the 1.8‑km tramway tunnel under Parliament Hill will begin “in the coming weeks,” advancing work by a year; $55M is released to start the package, and Mobilité Infra Québec (MIQ) is confirmed as owner. (newswire.ca)
- Important context and background information
- Local reporting adds neighborhood impact reactions and reiterates the schedule shift; commentary frames the earlier tunneling as making the project “irreversible.” (tvanouvelles.ca)
- Recent developments or changes
- Transport Minister Benoit Charette tied the acceleration to delivery‑risk control on timeline and costs. (journaldelevis.com)
U.S. Section 301 “excess capacity” hearings: aluminum in the spotlight
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- USTR’s public hearings on structural excess capacity across 16 economies began May 5 and run to May 8; transcripts will be posted after. (ustr.gov)
- Important context and background information
- The Aluminum Association used its May 7 testimony to press for targeted, enforceable measures addressing non‑market capacity—implications for Quebec’s aluminum exports to the U.S. (aluminum.org)
- Recent developments or changes
- The hearings complement March announcements outlining sectors under review (steel/aluminum, autos, batteries, semiconductors, etc.) ahead of the 2026 USMCA/CUSMA joint review. (ustr.gov)
Montreal labour: Blue‑collar union ousts president after April strike wave
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- On May 7, Montreal’s blue‑collar workers (CUPE 301) voted to dismiss their union president, Jean‑Pierre Lauzon, amid ongoing negotiations with the City following April’s three‑day strike. (tvanouvelles.ca)
- Important context and background information
- April’s action disrupted some collections and street‑maintenance operations under essential‑services rules, keeping critical services running. (agencemobilitedurable.ca)
- Recent developments or changes
- Both sides remain at the table; the leadership shake‑up could shift union strategy as talks continue. (tvanouvelles.ca)
Culture: Sommets du cinéma d’animation (May 11–16) spotlights Quebec and Canadian animation
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- The 24th Sommets du cinéma d’animation runs May 11–16 at Montreal’s Cinémathèque québécoise. (cinematheque.qc.ca)
- Important context and background information
- The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) announced a robust program with multiple world premieres across sections, underscoring continued momentum in Quebec/Canadian animation. (skwigly.co.uk)
- Recent developments or changes
- Festival programming and pitch sessions this week provide industry visibility for emerging Quebec creators ahead of the summer circuit. (sommetsanimation.com)