Quebec passes several bills before summer break

Quebec’s government passed a series of bills at the National Assembly this week before the legislature rises for the summer and ahead of the province’s Oct. 5 election. Among the measures adopted was Bill 4, which would let people who fear for their safety or their children’s safety request information about a current or former partner’s intimate partner violence history. The law is linked to the death of Gabie Renaud last year in SaintJérôme. Lawmakers also approved Bill 9, making Quebec the first province in Canada to ban energy drinks for people under 16. Bill 23, which deals with involuntary hospitalization when someone’s mental state poses a risk, was passed after committee changes. Bill 3, which reforms the provincial electoral map, was also adopted and will raise the number of ridings from 125 to 127. Two major proposals were dropped before the session ended: the CAQ government’s planned Quebec constitution and a bill to expand the province’s Frenchlanguage rules to adult education and vocational training.