Simon Jolin-Barrette accuses opposition of ‘obstruction’ as CAQ tries to pass constitution bill

Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette speaks at a press conference at the National Assembly in Quebec City on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

With less than two weeks remaining in the parliamentary session, Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette is accusing the opposition of slowing down the review of his proposed Quebec constitution.

“After six obstructionist motions, the opposition is refusing to accept the olive branch to begin the detailed review by adopting the clause—which is, after all, consensual—that prioritizes gender equality over religious freedom in the event of a conflict. Why deprive Quebecers of such a gain?” the minister wrote Tuesday evening on X.

All of the motions were rejected. The Liberals tabled a motion calling on the minister to submit the “gender-based analysis” conducted as part of the draft constitution.

For its part, the Parti Québécois tabled a motion calling for First Nations and Inuit communities to be consulted on the constitution.

The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL) is calling for the outright withdrawal of the Justice Minister’s bill.

Premier Christine Fréchette said that at least one opposition party’s support was needed for the constitution to be adopted. The Quebec Conservative Party (PCQ) then raised its hand. For Minister Jolin-Barrette, the Conservatives’ support is sufficient.

However, the PCQ’s sole elected representative in the National Assembly, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, was absent on Tuesday during the bill’s review.

“With only one member in a party, it’s difficult to be present at all committee meetings,” she said on Wednesday.

All other opposition parties oppose the constitution and it is far from achieving consensus in civil society.

On Wednesday morning, during a press briefing, Liberal MNA Marc Tanguay sent a message to the Minister of Justice: “Simon, stop squandering your credibility with this flawed Bill 1, the Quebec Constitution.”

“Simon introduced his constitutional bill, which he drafted himself in his office, all by himself, without anyone’s help. He introduced it too late, last October. Simon, he bet on the wrong candidate. Bernard Drainville would have given him his gag order, which was the only possible way to pass his bad bill,” he said.

Initially, Jolin-Barrette wanted to enshrine the right to abortion in his constitution. It would also have prohibited organizations from using public funds to challenge laws considered fundamental to Quebec.

Faced with public outcry, the minister later backed down on those controversial elements of the bill.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 3, 2026.

Thomas Laberge, The Canadian Press