Press release
QFL reaction – Bill 1 on the Quebec Constitution
9 October 2025
The Quebec Federation of Labour (QFL) is surprised by the tabling of Bill 1 on the Quebec Constitution, given the lack of consultation and the importance of such a move for Quebec. Moreover, it’s not as if there were no other priorities.
“Let’s be clear: the QFL is not opposed to the idea of a constitution for Quebec, but it should not be drafted on the back of an envelope. It must be the subject of broad public and popular consultation. This must not be the scheme of a government nearing the end of its mandate. One that has miserably failed, after seven years in power, in terms of governing the state,” said QFL President Magali Picard.
“The QFL also questions the CAQ’s true intentions with this bill on the Quebec Constitution. Is this government preparing to gag and silence civil society so that it can no longer challenge certain laws? We are asking the question. Upon reading it, the bill appears to place limits on the ability of civil society organizations to assert their rights before the courts,” added QFL Secretary General Denis Bolduc.
“We also wonder why the CAQ wants to transform the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ) into the Commission des droits de la Nation. We know that the CAQ and the Premier don’t like dissent, but this bill distorts the Commission’s mission, which is to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals. This legislation raises so many unanswered questions that there must be a public debate, not one held behind closed doors,” continued the President.
“As is customary when bills are introduced, and in keeping with its mandate from its members, the QFL will carefully study Bill 1 to assess its impact on Quebec’s workers and will request to be heard by the government,” concluded the union leaders.
The QFL, Quebec’s largest central labour organization, represents more than 600,000 workers.
Translated into English by SEU 800 from the original French-language press release issued by the QFL.