The Maple Leaf no longer flies at the Quebec legislature.

The Canadian flag has been removed from the Quebec legislature by the separatist Parti Quebecois, who were elected earlier this month. Their members took the oath of office on Monday.

The flag was put up in the legislature nine years ago, when the Quebec Liberals - led by Jean Charest - took office and restored it, after years of PQ rule.

Now, the Quebec Fleur-de-lis was once again standing alone.

The PQ officially takes office Wednesday, when premier-designate Pauline Marois will introduce her cabinet.

While the Canadian flag was gone, for the Parti Quebecois, every member of the PQ caucus swore an oath to the Queen.

That's a prerequisite for taking office in Canada, but PQ candidates complained about the increased presence of the monarchy in Canada under the Harper conservatives during the election campaign.

But there were no sarcastic expressions, sighs, rolled eyeballs or any other visible form of protest when members stood, one at a time, to swear the oath.

The PQ was elected with a 54-seat minority mandate. It now holds a four-seat advantage in the legislature after winning the popular vote by less than one percentage point.

Marois welcomed her new team with a speech.

``When a people rediscovers its pride and its confidence nothing, absolutely nothing, becomes impossible for it,'' Marois said during a festive ceremony in the chamber.