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Following the cuts: the impacts of CNESST cutbacks

In a recent article, Radio-Canada paints a troubling picture of the situation at the CNESST. Several workers’ rights organizations, including SEU 800, are observing a clear deterioration in access to services, only a few months after the Quebec government announced the cuts. 

Delays are skyrocketing

According to the information reported, mediation delays for certain labour standard complaints are now two to three times longer than they were previously. In many cases, timelines have increased from two or three months to six and upto nine months. Workers report having had to change jobs, leave their homes, or go into debt due to a lack of income while waiting for their cases to be processed.

Organizations also report that one out of three calls to the CNESST goes unanswered. The situation is even more critical at the Indemnisation des victimes d’actes criminels (IVAC), where nearly 72 percent of callers have reportedly been unable to reach an agent.

A real sense of discouragement among workers

These prolonged delays have a direct impact on people’s ability to assert their rights. Organizations are observing that more and more workers are abandoning their complaints because they lack of adequate support needed.

In some cases, community organizations are finding themselves acting as quasi subcontractors, without the additional resources required to absorb this significant increase in demand.

A situation that confirms our concerns

These findings confirm the concerns raised in our previous article. The cutbacks at the CNESST are having very real impacts, here and now. When an organization responsible for prevention, investigation, and compensation is weakened, it is workers, especially those in precarious and non-unionized situations, who bear the consequences.

At  SEU 800, we will continue our work on monitoring and documenting delays and problematic situations experienced by our members. We will also continue to join our voices with those of other union and community organizations calling for an end to the cutbacks and for reinvestment in services that are essential to the protection of workers’ rights.

If you are experiencing unreasonable delays or difficulties in your dealings with the CNESST, we encourage you to let us know. Your testimonies are essential in supporting our actions and our demands.