The functioning of the parliament

My dear lady Julie, sweet wife,

The session of Parliament has begun in Québec City. We are still waiting to know whether our law on the Bank of Montreal will be accepted by the king. We only need his assent to finalize this process. Let me explain the sequence of these long sessions that keep me away from you.

First step in the Legislative Assembly
To pass legislation, we must first introduce a bill before the Legislative Assembly, which is made up of members elected by the people. The House debates the project, discusses it and proposes amendments if necessary. If a majority of members vote “yes”, the House considers the bill passed.

Second step in the Legislative Council
The bill is then sent to the Legislative Council, whose members are appointed by the governor. There, councillors repeat the exact same procedure. They have the power to refuse our bills or add amendments (changes).

A third step with the Governor
If both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council pass the bill, the governor, who is appointed by the government in London, must sign the bill into law. He also has the power to refuse bills.

Enforcement of the law by the Executive Council
The law then comes into force and the Executive Council is entrusted with enforcing it. The members of this council are also appointed by the governor.

I will be back in Montréal by your side as soon as this process is completed.

Your devoted husband,

Louis-Joseph