Quebec's new government takes shape as MNAs sworn in

The changing of the guard at Quebec's national assembly is nowunderwayafter the Parti Quebecois' minority win Sept. 4 pushed the long-serving Liberals into official opposition territory.

The 54 PQ MNAs elected to form the province's next government were sworn in yesterday in Quebec City.

While many of those heading back to the benches of the province's legislature have been there before, most of the members of the PQ caucus have spent their entire careers in opposition.

Veronique Hivon, who represents Joliette, said she is preparing to take on more responsibility, and work harder now that her party has taken the reigns after nine years in opposition.

"You do your best when you are in opposition, but you do of course a lot more when you are in government."

MNAs elected under the Liberal and Coalition Avenir Quebec banners will be officially sworn in at the National Assembly today.

Speculation over cabinet seats

Just who will be in Pauline Marois's first cabinet, however, remains unknown.

On the record, virtually every PQ MNA has said the same thing about their prospects of being named minister: it's up to the premier to decide.

But privately, many have serious hopes of making it, including Nicolas Marceau, viewed by many to be a perfect fit for finance minister.

"Of course I would like that, but it's not up to me to make the decision," Marceau said.

Rjean Hbert, a long-time proponent of health care reform, is considered to be a possible pick for health minister. Hbert said he will work hard no matter what job he's given.

And then there's Jean-Franois Lise, the longtime political advisor and PQ strategist who was elected for the first time.

He says Pauline Marois's choices will help create a whole different political environment from the acrimony that reigned during Jean Charest's last years in power.

"It's going to be a new tone. New issues will be brought to the table," he said.

The PQ has promised controversial changes including tougher languages, but Lise and others are vowing to be co-operative, and open to discussion on the matter.

The PQ cabinet will be officially sworn in tomorrow.