Vaudreuil-Dorion resident Éloïse Bricault, a linguistics student at the Université de Montréal, got the year 2024 off to a great start by taking part in the Student Parliament. The initiative, which annually brings together citizens from across the province, takes place at the National Assembly, where Quebec's 125 MNAs sit. 

For the young woman, this was her third participation in this initiative, her first dating back to when she was in Secondary 4. That time, she played the role of an MNA. Last year, she played a critic of the official opposition, responsible for improving and changing elements of a bill submitted by the party in power. 

This year, she played the role of an elected representative, carrying a bill, a role she took on with all that it entailed. With the help of a team, she had to draft a 10-page bill, which she then presented in the Salon bleu of the Quebec Parliament. 

This bill focused on the "third place" or tiers-lieu as it's known in French. "It's a place that refers to a social environment that is neither home nor work, but is important for individuals to meet, get together and exchange informally. I had about a month to draft the bill, using the legislative jargon.It was a real challenge for me, as I study linguistics, not political science or law.Fortunately, I had the help of a great team to make it happen," she says over the phone. 

Not only was Éloïse able to write it, but she was also able to do so within the timeframe requested, including her university mid-term, which can be a busy time.But she's far from complaining, since participation in the student parliament is voluntary, not compulsory. 

The most realistic parliamentary simulation in Quebec 

On its website, the student parliament, which takes place every year from January 2 to 6, indicates that during the simulation, each parliamentary caucus takes turns playing the role of the government and the official opposition. 

In this way, each participant can experience both sides of the room. During their turn in government, each caucus presents three bills, a budget and a draft white paper.Each bill is critiqued by an official critic, opposite the minister in the official opposition. 

Interestingly, all participants are sworn in on their first night, just as politicians are elected after an election campaign.Students are invited in turn to take the oath, all under the aegis of a Lieutenant-Governor. During his or her turn in government, each parliamentary leader appoints the members of his or her cabinet.

During the simulation, participants experience several elements of the local political system, such as swearing-in, question period, speeches, ministerial statements, introducing and voting on bills, parliamentary committees and social crises. 

For Éloïse, the fact that the simulation takes place in Parliament, where Quebec's elected representatives sit during the parliamentary session, is an added bonus to the experience. Participants are even subject to the elected officials' dress code. 

Would Éloïse recommend this experience? "Yes and no.You really have to know what you're getting into. It's a long day and a very rewarding week, but it's very time-consuming.If you're aware of that, you should be able to make the most of it.It's all very cool. I'm lucky to have been able to play different roles on both sides of the Blue Room. I got to see both sides of the coin," she sums up. 

What was her favorite part of her week in Quebec City? "The parliamentary committees. We'd get together in the evening at our hotel to debate a bill constructively and respectfully. We'd ask each other what we'd keep, what we'd take out, all in a spirit of conciliation and dialogue. We all wanted to move the debate forward, not just have a confrontation of ideas and opinions."