What Is 31st National Assembly of Quebec

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 31st National Assembly of Quebec refers to the legislative body elected in the 1981 provincial election, serving from December 1981 to April 1985. It was dominated by the Parti Québécois under Premier René Lévesque, marking a period of significant language and sovereignty legislation.

Key Facts

Elected on April 13, 1981, the 31st National Assembly convened on December 17, 1981
Parti Québécois won 77 out of 122 seats in the 1981 election
René Lévesque served as Premier until October 1985, though his tenure spanned this and the next assembly
Passed Bill 101 amendments strengthening French language requirements
Saw the decline of sovereignty momentum following the 1980 referendum defeat

Overview

The 31st National Assembly of Quebec was formed following the provincial general election held on April 13, 1981. It represented a continuation of Parti Québécois governance after their 1976 victory, maintaining a strong majority under Premier René Lévesque. This assembly operated during a critical period of post-referendum political recalibration and linguistic reform.

Comprising 122 members elected across Quebec’s ridings, the assembly convened on December 17, 1981, and dissolved on April 13, 1985, ahead of the next election. It played a key role in advancing nationalist policies while managing economic challenges and intergovernmental tensions with Ottawa. The legislature met at the Parliament Building in Quebec City, continuing the province’s tradition of parliamentary democracy.

77 seats were won by the Parti Québécois, giving them a solid majority to govern effectively.
The Quebec Liberal Party, led by Claude Ryan, secured 40 seats, positioning them as the official opposition.
Three independent candidates were elected, including former Union Nationale members dissatisfied with party dissolution.
The assembly passed amendments to Bill 101, reinforcing French as the language of work, education, and public signage.
It operated under a fixed parliamentary calendar, with sessions typically running from fall to spring.

How It Works

The National Assembly functions as Quebec’s unicameral legislature, responsible for passing laws, approving budgets, and overseeing the executive branch. Each assembly is numbered consecutively following general elections, with the 31st serving from 1981 to 1985.

Term: The 31st National Assembly served from December 17, 1981, to April 13, 1985, spanning one parliamentary session. It was dissolved ahead of the 1985 general election.
Members were elected via first-past-the-post voting in single-member constituencies across the province’s 122 ridings.
The Parti Québécois formed the government, with cabinet ministers appointed by the Premier from elected MNAs.
Legislative business included introducing bills, committee reviews, and Question Period debates with the opposition.
The National Assembly operated under Standing Orders, procedural rules governing debate, voting, and committee operations.
It maintained oversight of provincial ministries, including education, health, and language policy, through committee hearings and budget scrutiny.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 31st National Assembly with adjacent assemblies to highlight political continuity and change.

Assembly	Year Elected	Governing Party	Seats Held	Major Legislation
29th	1970	Quebec Liberal Party	72 of 108	Creation of public pension plan
30th	1976	Parti Québécois	71 of 114	Bill 101 (Charter of the French Language)
31st	1981	Parti Québécois	77 of 122	Bill 101 amendments, economic reforms
32nd	1985	Quebec Liberal Party	99 of 122	Loi 178 (Bill 178) on language
33rd	1989	Quebec Liberal Party	92 of 125	Electoral reform discussions

This table illustrates the shift from PQ dominance in the 1980s to Liberal resurgence by 1985. The 31st Assembly maintained nationalist policies but faced growing public fatigue after the 1980 sovereignty referendum failure. Economic stagnation and internal party tensions contributed to the PQ’s 1985 defeat.

Why It Matters

The 31st National Assembly shaped modern Quebec through language laws and intergovernmental assertiveness. Though less transformative than the 30th, it consolidated key elements of Quebec’s distinct identity.

It reinforced French language supremacy by tightening rules on business signage and access to English schools.
The assembly navigated federal-provincial disputes, especially over energy and constitutional powers.
It oversaw economic modernization efforts, including support for Quebec-based industries and technology.
Internal divisions within the PQ grew, foreshadowing Lévesque’s resignation in 1985.
The period saw increased scrutiny of sovereignty strategy, influencing future party directions.
Its legislative records remain vital for understanding Quebec’s political evolution in the 1980s.

Ultimately, the 31st National Assembly served as a bridge between radical reform and political normalization, setting the stage for future debates on identity and autonomy.