Quebec Intergovernmental Relations under the Legault Government: A Critical Perspective and Future Outlook
Feb 23, 2026 — 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Come join us for a timely and in-depth public lecture examining Quebec’s intergovernmental relations within the Canadian federation. Set against a rare and pivotal political moment marked by leadership races in major provincial parties and the approach of the 2026 Quebec, this event offers a critical reflection on the Legault governments’ autonomist approach to federalism, their limited engagement with federal and provincial partners, and the future directions available to Quebec in reshaping its intergovernmental strategy.
About the Event
As Quebec enters the winter of 2026, the political landscape is marked by a rare moment in provincial politics: leadership races within both the governing party, the CAQ, and the party forming the Official Opposition at the National Assembly, the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ). At the same time, the sovereigntist Parti Québécois (PQ) is leading in the polls. With provincial elections scheduled for October 5, 2026, this lecture will offer a preliminary assessment of the Legault governments’ approach to Canadian intergovernmental relations.
The central argument of this conference is that the Legault governments have remained within a strongly autonomist framework, showing limited interest in sustained engagement with the federal government and with other partners within the Canadian federation. The lecture will also identify future policy tools and strategic options available to any Quebec government, regardless of political affiliation, to rethink and reshape its intergovernmental relations.
Speaker Bio
Guy Laforest is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Université Laval and served as Director General of the École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP) from 2017 to 2022. He is currently President of the Academy of Social Sciences of the Royal Society of Canada for a three-year term (2025–2028). Throughout his career, his main areas of teaching and research have included Western political thought, intellectual history in Quebec and Canada, Canadian constitutional issues, and theories of federalism and nationalism.