The Reality of Our Communities at the National Assembly of Quebec

Understanding how democratic institutions operate and the concrete role played by elected officials remains an essential issue for many citizens, particularly for communities that have recently arrived in Quebec. In an interview conducted as part of civic journalism, Franz Benjamin, Member of the National Assembly for Viau and Vice-President of the National Assembly of Quebec, discusses how Quebec’s parliament functions, the tools available to citizens to voice their concerns, and the importance of the participation of Afro-descendant communities in public life.

Previously involved in several areas of public life, Franz Benjamin recalls that the National Assembly represents, above all, the heart of Quebec’s democratic debate. According to him, this institution is “the place where the Quebec state debates,” where elected officials gather to discuss political directions and adopt laws that affect the entire population.

“It is the place of legislative power, meaning that this is where 125 members of parliament meet, representing the entire territory of Quebec, to debate, to create bills, and above all to discuss policies and directions,” he explains.

The Three Main Responsibilities of a Member of Parliament

For Franz Benjamin, the role of an MNA is not limited to debates at the National Assembly. It is based on three major responsibilities: creating laws, overseeing government actions, and representing citizens.

The first role is that of a legislator. MNAs participate in discussions in the Blue Room, the Red Room, and within parliamentary committees in order to analyze, amend, and improve bills.

The second role involves overseeing the government. Elected officials, particularly those from the opposition, have mechanisms that allow them to question government decisions and demand accountability regarding actions taken or not taken.

Finally, the MNA also plays the role of an ambassador for democracy by remaining connected with citizens in their riding.

“Each member represents a riding. I represent the riding of Viau. My mandate as a member of the National Assembly is to go and defend the interests of the Viau riding,” he states.

Democratic Tools to Raise Community Issues

When a community wants to bring an issue forward to institutions, several means are available, according to the MNA. Bills, questions addressed to the government, parliamentary motions, and statements by members all allow elected officials to bring certain topics to the forefront.

Parliamentary committees also provide an important opportunity for citizen participation, especially when public consultations are organized around bills.

“It is simply about using the tools that exist effectively and using them at the right time so that they can produce results,” emphasizes Franz Benjamin.

According to him, political representation also depends on the continuous involvement of citizens themselves. He stresses that democracy should not be reduced only to election periods.

“Democracy does not stop every four years. It is not every four years that it works. Democracy works; it is a continuous process,” he reminds.

The MNA therefore encourages citizens to communicate with their elected representatives, ask questions, submit petitions, and participate in public discussions.

“As a citizen, you also have the power to question your elected officials, to write to them, to call them, to petition, meaning to sign petitions that can be submitted to the National Assembly,” he adds.

The Role of Afro-Descendant Communities in Public Life

The issue of including Afro-descendant communities in political decision-making remains an important concern for Franz Benjamin. He believes that institutions must continue working toward representation that reflects Quebec’s diversity.

The MNA also highlights that communities themselves have an essential role to play in this process.

“There is also a responsibility that we have, we Afro-descendant communities. This responsibility is something that each of us carries within our communities,” he explains.

For him, citizen participation helps bring institutions closer to the realities experienced on the ground and contributes to building a more united Quebec.

“Democratic principles must first emerge from Quebec’s communities, meaning from our communities, our regions, our cities, and our villages, before being carried to the National Assembly,” he states.

An MNA Serving Citizens in Their Daily Lives

Franz Benjamin also reminds citizens that they can directly contact their elected representative when they face difficulties. Each MNA has a constituency office designed to receive requests and support citizens.

However, he clarifies that MNAs cannot intervene in every area. Some responsibilities fall under municipal or federal administrations.

“If someone tells me: ‘Mr. Benjamin, my sidewalk has been broken for two years,’ I am an MNA, but unfortunately, I cannot repair your sidewalk. At that point, I will refer you to the municipality,” he explains.

Similarly, some requests related to federal services must be directed to the appropriate federal representatives.

This collaboration between different levels of government allows, according to him, citizens to be directed toward the right resources.

Housing, a Priority for Many Newcomers

Among the concerns frequently brought to his constituency office, Franz Benjamin particularly mentions issues related to housing and immigration.

He explains that each situation must be analyzed individually because the problems faced by citizens can vary greatly.

“It is not true that everyone who arrives and tells you ‘I have a housing problem’ has the same problem,” he points out.

Some citizens may need support finding affordable housing, while others may be facing situations requiring urgent intervention.

To respond to these realities, the MNA says he has assigned a member of his team a specific mandate related to housing issues in order to support citizens according to their particular needs.

“My goal is to address each case individually, on a human level, so that we can respond to the best of our abilities and with the resources available,” he says.

Through this civic discussion, Franz Benjamin emphasizes that Quebec’s democracy relies as much on the work of institutions as it does on the daily involvement of citizens. For him, an inclusive society is built when communities understand their rights, use the democratic tools available to them, and actively participate in the decisions that shape their future.

https://youtu.be/Ap21kstiL70