What Is 20th Legislative Assembly of Quebec

Overview

The 20th Legislative Assembly of Quebec was a pivotal session in the province's political history, spanning from 1936 to 1939. It followed a decisive general election that reshaped the governance of Quebec and introduced a new era of conservative nationalism under Maurice Duplessis.

This assembly marked a turning point, as the Union Nationale unseated the long-ruling Liberal Party. The shift reflected growing public concern over economic conditions during the Great Depression and dissatisfaction with the incumbent government.

• June 1936 election: The Union Nationale, led by Maurice Duplessis, won a landslide victory, capturing 76 out of 90 seats in the National Assembly.
• Liberal defeat: The governing Quebec Liberal Party, previously led by Louis-Alexandre Taschereau, was reduced to only 14 seats, signaling a dramatic political realignment.
• Start date: The assembly officially convened on June 9, 1936, marking the beginning of Duplessis’s first term as Premier of Quebec.
• Political ideology: The Union Nationale promoted conservative values, provincial autonomy, and strong ties with the Catholic Church, shaping Quebec’s social and economic policies.
• End of session: The assembly was dissolved on May 19, 1939, ahead of the next general election, which would see the Liberals return to power temporarily.

How It Works

The functioning of the 20th Legislative Assembly followed the standard parliamentary procedures of Quebec’s National Assembly, with the governing party setting legislative priorities and the opposition providing scrutiny.

• Term: The assembly operated from June 1936 to May 1939, lasting just under three years. This term ended with the dissolution of the legislature ahead of the 1939 election.
• Legislative sessions: Multiple sessions were held annually, during which bills were introduced, debated, and voted on, primarily focusing on economic recovery and social policy.
• Majority government: With 76 seats, the Union Nationale held a commanding majority, enabling them to pass legislation with minimal opposition resistance.
• Committee structure: Standing and special committees reviewed proposed laws, though their influence was limited due to the dominant-party control of the assembly.
• Executive Council: The Premier and cabinet, known as the Executive Council, were drawn from the assembly and held significant power over policy direction.
• Opposition role: The Liberal opposition, though small, challenged government initiatives, particularly on civil liberties and labor rights during a turbulent economic period.
• Public engagement: While public debates were limited, the assembly’s decisions impacted education, labor laws, and natural resource management across Quebec.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 20th Legislative Assembly with earlier and later sessions reveals shifts in party dominance, legislative productivity, and political ideology.

This comparison highlights how the 20th Assembly marked a conservative shift compared to the more progressive 19th and the reformist 21st. The return of the Liberals in 1939 temporarily reversed Duplessis’s agenda, but his influence persisted.

Why It Matters

The 20th Legislative Assembly had lasting implications for Quebec’s political and social development. It set the stage for Duplessis’s later return to power and influenced the province’s trajectory for decades.

• Start of the Duplessis era: This assembly marked the beginning of Maurice Duplessis’s long political dominance, which would extend into the 1950s.
• Conservative resurgence: It signaled a shift away from liberal modernization toward traditionalism, affecting education and labor policies.
• Church-state relations: The close alliance between the Union Nationale and the Catholic Church strengthened religious influence in public institutions.
• Economic policy: The government emphasized resource development and anti-union legislation, shaping labor relations in Quebec.
• Democratic accountability: The overwhelming majority raised concerns about limited opposition power and legislative oversight.
• Historical legacy: The policies of this era contributed to the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, which sought to reverse many of its effects.

The 20th Legislative Assembly remains a critical chapter in Quebec’s history, illustrating how electoral shifts can redefine a province’s political culture and governance priorities for generations.