Executive Council of Quebec

The Executive Council of Quebec (in French, le Conseil exécutif du Québec, but informally and more commonly, the Cabinet of Quebec and in French: le Conseil des ministres) is the cabinet of the government of Quebec, Canada.[1]

Usually made up of members of the Quebec National Assembly, the Cabinet is similar in structure and role to the Cabinet of Canada, while being smaller in size. As federal and provincial responsibilities differ, there are a number of portfolios that differ between the federal and provincial governments.

The Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, as representative of the Queen in Right of Quebec, heads the Council, and is referred to as the Governor-in-Council. Other members of the Cabinet, who advise, or minister, the vice-regal, are selected by the Premier of Quebec, and appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor. Most Cabinet Ministers are the head of a ministry, but this is not always the case.

As at the federal level, the most important Cabinet post, after that of the prime minister or premier, is Minister of Finance. Today, the next most powerful position is the Health Portfolio, which has a vast budget and is of central political import. Other powerful portfolios include education and energy.