TL;DR
- Quebec health shake‑up: Health Minister Christian Dubé resigned (Dec 18); Sonia Bélanger was appointed to replace him (Dec 19). Family doctors (FMOQ) approved, 97%, a deal to amend/delay key parts of Bill 2 to February. (tvanouvelles.ca)
- Culture policy: Quebec adopted and sanctioned Bill 109 (Dec 11–12), creating a framework to boost online discoverability of francophone cultural content. (quebec.ca)
- Transit: STM maintenance workers’ overtime strike runs Dec 11–Jan 11 under essential‑services orders; bus service may be curtailed. REM will offer continuous service on New Year’s Eve. (montreal.citynews.ca)
- Hydro‑Québec rates: The Régie de l’énergie set January 8–21, 2026 hearings on Hydro‑Québec’s multi‑year rate case (2026–2029). HQ is seeking ~3% annual residential hikes. (regie-energie.qc.ca)
- USMCA/CUSMA review: USTR held its public hearing Dec 3–5 and Ambassador Greer briefed Congress Dec 16–17; Canada’s consultations closed Nov 3. (ustr.gov)
Quebec health: Dubé resigns; Bélanger becomes health minister; Bill 2 changes advance
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- Christian Dubé resigned as Health Minister and left the CAQ on December 18, 2025. Premier François Legault accepted the resignation. (tvanouvelles.ca)
- On December 19, 2025, Legault named Sonia Bélanger Health Minister (she also keeps Seniors, Social Services, and Laurentides portfolios). (quebec.ca)
- Family doctors (FMOQ) voted 97% in favour (Dec 19) of an agreement in principle to modify Bill 2; implementation is delayed until February while amendments are prepared. (montreal.citynews.ca)
- Important context and background information
- Bill 2, adopted under closure in October, ties a portion of physician pay to performance and restricts pressure tactics; it sparked multiple legal and political challenges this fall. (ca.news.yahoo.com)
- Recent developments or changes
- Expect enabling legislation and/or regulatory changes in January–February 2026 to reflect the FMOQ agreement; specialists’ talks and court actions continue. (montreal.citynews.ca)
Quebec adopts Bill 109 (cultural “discoverability” law)
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- The National Assembly adopted Bill 109 on December 11, 2025; it received royal assent on December 12, 2025 (2025, c. 38). (assnat.qc.ca)
- Important context and background information
- The law affirms Quebec’s cultural sovereignty and creates a legal framework to improve the online discoverability of francophone cultural content (including a new Bureau within the Culture Ministry). Entry into force will be by decree, with regulations to follow. (quebec.ca)
- Recent developments or changes
- The government outlined next steps (creating the Bureau; drafting regulations) alongside adoption. Watch for implementation timelines in early 2026. (quebec.ca)
Montreal transit: STM overtime strike through Jan 11; REM all‑night on Dec 31
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- About 2,400 STM maintenance workers began an overtime strike December 11–January 11; Quebec’s labour tribunal deemed essential services sufficient, including over the holidays. Bus service may be reduced as vehicles cycle out of service. (montreal.citynews.ca)
- Important context and background information
- This is the fourth major job action since June; essential‑services parameters were litigated for holiday and storm periods. (montreal.citynews.ca)
- Recent developments or changes
- The REM confirmed continuous overnight service for New Year’s Eve (Dec 31–Jan 1), which may help offset STM disruptions for late‑night travel. (rem.info)
Hydro‑Québec rates: January hearings on multi‑year plan
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- The Régie de l’énergie will resume Hydro‑Québec’s tariff hearings January 8–16 and 20–21, 2026, covering proposed revisions for 2026–2029. (regie-energie.qc.ca)
- Important context and background information
- Hydro‑Québec’s filing seeks stable, predictable increases—about 3% annually for residential customers—to fund grid upgrades and reliability improvements. (news.hydroquebec.com)
- Recent developments or changes
- Outcomes will affect April 1, 2026 bills; intervenors will test HQ’s investment and service‑quality commitments during the January sittings. (regie-energie.qc.ca)
USMCA/CUSMA 2026 review: procedural steps in December
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- USTR held its public hearing on December 3–5, 2025, and posted materials; Ambassador Jamieson Greer briefed House Ways and Means and Senate Finance on December 16–17. (ustr.gov)
- Important context and background information
- Canada’s own consultation window closed November 3, 2025; positions are being drafted for the July 1, 2026 joint review—salient for Quebec’s aluminum, aerospace and dairy sectors. (international.canada.ca)
- Recent developments or changes
- Expect intensified intergovernmental and industry outreach early in 2026 as Washington, Ottawa and Mexico City consolidate negotiating priorities. (ustr.gov)