Quebec

===Ministries and policies===
Quebec's constitution is enshrined in a series of social and cultural traditions that are defined in a set of judicial judgments and legislative documents, including the {{lang|fr|Loi sur l'Assemblée Nationale}} ("Law on the National Assembly"), the {{lang|fr|Loi sur l'éxecutif}} ("Law on the Executive"), and the {{lang|fr|Loi électorale du Québec}} ("Electoral Law of Quebec").<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Les Publications du Québec|Éditeur officiel du Québec]]|title=Loi électorale (L.R.Q., c E-3.3)|url=http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=/E_3_3/E3_3.html|accessdate=February 1, 2011}}</ref> Other notable examples include the [[Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms|Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms]], the [[Charter of the French language]], and the [[Civil Code of Quebec]].<ref name="CCQ2">{{cite web|date=October 28, 2011|title=Code civil du Québec, L.R.Q.|url=http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=%2FCCQ%2FCCQ.html|access-date=June 6, 2021|archive-date=September 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913110920/http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Quebec's international policy is founded upon the {{ill|Gérin-Lajoie doctrine|fr|Doctrine Gérin-Lajoie}},<ref>{{cite web |date=April 12, 1965 |title=Allocution du ministre de l'Éducation, M. Paul Gérin-Lajoie |url=http://www.mri.gouv.qc.ca/fr/ministere/histoire_ministere/documents_archives/discours_gerin_lajoie.pdf |publisher=[[Gouvernement du Québec]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526152449/http://www.mri.gouv.qc.ca/fr/ministere/histoire_ministere/documents_archives/discours_gerin_lajoie.pdf |archive-date=May 26, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> formulated in 1965. While Quebec's [[Ministry of International Relations (Quebec)|Ministry of International Relations]] coordinates international policy, [[Quebec Government Offices|Quebec's general delegations]] are the main interlocutors in foreign countries. Quebec is the only Canadian province that has set up a ministry to exclusively embody the state's powers for international relations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Comparaison interprovinciale et analyse de l'administration publique au Canada|url=http://etatscanadiens-canadiangovernments.enap.ca/fr/nav.aspx?sortcode=1.0.1.2|accessdate=July 27, 2011|publisher=L'observatoire de l'administration publique}}</ref>

Since 2006, Quebec has adopted a green plan to meet the objectives of the [[Kyoto Protocol]] regarding climate change.<ref>{{cite web|year=2006|publisher=Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs du Québec|title=Le Québec et les changements climatiques: un défi pour l'avenir. Plan d'action 2006-2012|url=http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/changements/plan_action/2006-2012_fr.pdf|isbn=978-2-550-53375-7}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, and Fight Against Climate Change]] (MELCC) is the primary entity responsible for the application of environmental policy. The [[Société des établissements de plein air du Québec]] (SEPAQ) is the main body responsible for the management of national parks and wildlife reserves.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Les Publications du Québec|title=Loi sur la Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (L.R.Q., chapitre S-13.01)|url=http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=//S_13_01/S13_01.htm|accessdate=December 10, 2009}}</ref> Nearly 500,000 people took part in a climate protest on the streets of Montreal in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|date=October 2, 2019|title=La "base climatosceptique" bel et bien présente au Québec|url=https://journalmetro.com/actualites/national/2383747/apres-la-marche-la-base-climatosceptique-bel-et-bien-presente-au-quebec/|website=Journal Métro |last=Carabin |first=François |language=fr}}</ref>

Agriculture in Quebec has been subject to [[agricultural zoning]] regulations since 1978.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Les Publications du Québec|title=Loi sur la protection du territoire et des activités agricoles (L.R.Q., c. P-41.1)|url=http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=/P_41_1/P41_1.html|accessdate=January 8, 2010}}</ref> Faced with the problem of expanding [[urban sprawl]], agricultural zones were created to ensure the protection of fertile land, which make up 2% of Quebec's total area. {{ill|Quebec's forests|fr|Forêt au Québec}} are essentially public property. The calculation of annual cutting possibilities is the responsibility of the {{lang|fr|Bureau du forestier en chef}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Forestier en chef|url=https://forestierenchef.gouv.qc.ca/|accessdate=July 30, 2019|publisher=Government of Quebec}}</ref> The [[Union des producteurs agricoles]] (UPA) seeks to protect the interests of its members, including forestry workers, and works jointly with the [[Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Quebec)|Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food]] (MAPAQ) and the [[Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (Quebec)|Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources]].

The {{lang|fr|Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale du Québec}} has the mandate to oversee social and workforce developments through Emploi-Québec and its local employment centres (CLE).<ref>{{cite web|title=Emploi-Québec|url=http://emploiquebec.net/index.asp|accessdate=January 8, 2010|publisher=Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale}}</ref> This ministry is also responsible for managing the {{lang|fr|Régime québécois d'assurance parentale}} (QPIP) as well as last-resort financial support for people in need. The {{ill|Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail|fr|Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail}} (CNESST) is the main body responsible for labour laws in Quebec<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Les Publications du Québec|Éditeur officiel du Québec]]|title=Loi sur les normes du travail (L.R.Q., c. N-1.1)|url=http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=/N_1_1/N1_1.html|accessdate=January 8, 2010}}</ref> and for enforcing agreements concluded between unions of employees and their employers.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Les Publications du Québec|Éditeur officiel du Québec]]|title=Code du travail (L.R.Q., c. C-27)|url=http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=/C_27/C27.HTM|accessdate=January 8, 2010}}</ref>

[[Revenu Québec]] is the body responsible for collecting taxes. It takes its revenue through a [[Progressive tax|progressive income tax]], a 9.975% sales tax,<ref>{{cite web|title=Basic Rules for Applying the GST/HST and QST|publisher=Revenu Quebec|url=http://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/entreprises/taxes/tpstvhtvq/reglesdebase/default.aspx|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807045446/http://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/entreprises/taxes/tpstvhtvq/reglesdebase/default.aspx|archivedate=August 7, 2016|accessdate=July 30, 2016}}</ref> various other provincial taxes (ex. carbon, corporate and capital gains taxes), [[Equalization payments in Canada|equalization payments]], transfer payments from other provinces, and direct payments.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Consolidated provincial and territorial government revenue and expenditures, by province and territory, 2009|url=http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/govt56b-eng.htm|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312082028/http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/govt56b-eng.htm|archivedate=March 12, 2009|publisher=Statistics Canada}}</ref> By some measures Quebec residents are the most taxed;<ref>{{cite web|last=Kozhaya|first=Norma|date=March 11, 2004|title=Soaking 'les riches'|url=http://www.iedm.org/fr/2427-soaking-les-riches|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408214201/http://www.iedm.org/fr/2427-soaking-les-riches|archivedate=April 8, 2014|publisher=Montreal Economic Institute}}</ref> a 2012 study indicated that "Quebec companies pay 26 per cent more in taxes than the Canadian average".<ref>{{cite news|last=Marotte|first=Bertrand|title=Quebec business taxes highest in North America|newspaper=Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/quebec-business-taxes-highest-in-north-america-study/article4618486/|url-status=live|accessdate=April 7, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031055451/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/quebec-business-taxes-highest-in-north-america-study/article4618486/|archivedate=October 31, 2012}}</ref>

Quebec's immigration philosophy is based on the principles of pluralism and [[interculturalism]].The {{lang|fr|Ministère de l'Immigration et des Communautés culturelles du Québec}} is responsible for the selection and integration of immigrants.<ref>{{cite web|title=Accord Canada-Québec relatif à l'immigration et à l'admission temporaire des aubains (Accord Gagnon-Tremblay—McDougall)|url=http://www.micc.gouv.qc.ca/publications/fr/divers/Accord-canada-quebec-immigration-francais.pdf|accessdate=July 30, 2019|publisher=Government of Quebec|archive-date=June 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614152839/http://www.micc.gouv.qc.ca/publications/fr/divers/Accord-canada-quebec-immigration-francais.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Programs favour immigrants who know French, have a low risk of becoming criminals and have in-demand skills.

Quebec's health and social services network is administered by the [[Ministry of Health and Social Services (Quebec)|Ministry of Health and Social Services]]. It is composed of 95 {{lang|fr|réseaux locaux de services}} (RLS; 'local service networks') and 18 {{lang|fr|agences de la santé et des services sociaux}} (ASSS; 'health and social services agencies'). Quebec's health system is supported by the ''[[Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec]]'' (RAMQ) which works to maintain the accessibility of services for all citizens of Quebec.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Les Publications du Québec|Éditeur officiel du Québec]]|title=Loi sur la Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (L.R.Q., c. R-5)|url=http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=/R_5/R5.html|accessdate=January 8, 2010}}</ref>

The {{lang|fr|Ministère de la Famille et des Aînés du Québec}} operate {{ill|centres de la petite enfance|fr|Centre de la petite enfance}} (CPEs; 'centres for young children'). [[Education in Quebec|Quebec's education system]] is administered by the [[Ministry of Education and Higher Education (Quebec)|Ministry of Education and Higher Education]] ([[Primary school|primary]] and [[Secondary school|secondary]] schools), the {{lang|fr|Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur}} ([[CEGEP]]) and the {{lang|fr|Conseil supérieure de l'Education du Québec}} (universities and colleges).<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Les Publications du Québec|Éditeur officiel du Québec]]|title=Loi sur le Conseil supérieur de l'éducation (L.R.Q., c. C-60)|url=http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=2&file=/C_60/C60.html|accessdate=January 8, 2010}}</ref> In 2012, the annual cost for postsecondary [[tuition]] was CA$2,168 (€1,700)—less than half of Canada's average tuition. Part of the reason for this is that tuition fees were frozen to a relatively low level when CEGEPS were created during the Quiet Revolution. When Jean Charest's government decided in 2012 to sharply increase university fees, [[2012 Quebec student protests|students protests]] erupted.<ref>{{cite web|first=Pascale|last=Dufour|date=June 1, 2012|title=Ténacité des étudiants québécois|url=https://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/2012/06/DUFOUR/47888|website=Le Monde diplomatique}}</ref> Because of these protests, Quebec's tuition fees remain relatively low.