Bill 1: A Quebec Written Constitution
The Greater Quebec Movement
On October 9, 2025, the Quebec government tabled Bill 1 in the National Assembly—An Act giving Quebec a written constitution. While the opposition parties have voiced objections to the bill itself, they all support the idea of a Quebec constitution.
The English-speaking community is now caught up in a process for which it may feel ill-prepared, and we hope to offer some ideas on how to proceed.
Please see the November 26 Montreal Gazette op-ed by GQM director Richard Walsh Smith, entitled “Done right, a Quebec constitution could be a bridge, not a barrier.”
Below that, please see a February 4, 2023 letter to TALQ President Eva Ludvig from Richard and fellow GQM director Giuliano D’Andrea—himself a former director of TALQ when it was known as the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN)—urging TALQ to host a Zoom event on the topic of a Quebec constitution.
Would we not be a little more prepared today if TALQ had held such an event at the time? We suggest that more events of this kind be organized in the future, as a Quebec constitution will continue to evolve, even with a change of government.
Please also see our Media tab for past commentary on a Quebec constitution.
Done right, a Quebec constitution could be a bridge, not a barrier
Montreal Gazette November 26th, 2025
GQM director Richard Walsh Smith argues that a carefully drafted Quebec constitution could unite, rather than divide, by clearly affirming shared principles and protecting minority rights. He emphasizes that an inclusive, participatory drafting process — involving all of Quebec’s communities — could turn the constitution into a bridge between groups. Done properly, it would provide stability, clarity, and reassurance to anglophones and others who worry about exclusion.
February 24th 2023 letter to TALQ President Eva Ludvig from current GQM directors Giuliano D’Andrea and Richard Walsh Smith about a Quebec constitution
The following February 4, 2023, letter to the then–Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN)—now known as Talking About Living in Quebec (TALQ)—President Eva Ludvig urges the QCGN to host a Zoom event on a potential Quebec constitution, with Benoît Pelletier and Julius Grey as guest speakers. The letter argues that engaging proactively—rather than reacting defensively—could ease anglophone–francophone tensions, counter negative stereotypes following Bill 96, and help the English-speaking community participate constructively in a growing constitutional conversation that may shape Quebec’s future.
GQM brief submitted to the National Assembly’s Commission des institutions regarding Bill 1, which seeks to establish a written constitution for Quebec.
Please click to view our brief, which critiques Bill 1 for sidelining English-speaking Quebecers, challenges the bill’s restrictive definition of “historic Anglos,” and warns that it risks deepening social division. It proposes allowing integrated French–English public schooling to strengthen social cohesion and urges the National Assembly to table the bill and undertake broader, meaningful consultations before adopting a Quebec constitution—a prospect the GQM has long supported in its public commentary.