Press release
François Legault’s resignation and the resumption of parliamentary proceedings: Several organizations call on the government to abandon its authoritarian bills

AS PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS RESUME, FOLLOWING FRANÇOIS LEGAULT’S RESIGNATION AND THE CAQ LEADERSHIP RACE, SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE CALLING ON THE CAQ GOVERNMENT TO SET ASIDE ITS BILLS THAT UNDERMINE THE RULE OF LAW.

Despite the current political instability, the government remains responsible for taking concrete action to improve the lives of workers and to make a meaningful difference for the population. With elections only a few months away, the CAQ government no longer has the legitimacy to move forward with legislation that divides Québec society. It must put an end to this troubling authoritarian drift that repeatedly targets democratic counterweights. This is the unified message being put forward by the CSN, CSQ, FTQ, CSD, APTS, FAE, FIQ, SFPQ, and SPGQ.

By announcing his resignation on January 14, Premier François Legault ultimately acknowledged his failure, just months after unveiling a cabinet shuffle that was meant to relaunch his government. Instead, that reshuffle marked the beginning of a wave of legislative initiatives that raised serious concerns, to the point that both the Barreau du Québec and the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ) publicly warned of an authoritarian drift and an erosion of the rule of law.

For these reasons, labour organizations are calling on the government to withdraw legislation that weakens rights, particularly Bills 1 and 9. As for Bill 3 introduced by the Minister of Labour on the governance of labour unions, the government must specifically abandon the provision on optional union dues. This government has only a few months left to change course and deliver results where needs are most urgent. It must refocus its priorities on those of Quebecers: addressing the homelessness and housing crisis, curbing the rising cost of living, and improving access to public services.

“Attacks on democratic counterweights have unfortunately become a defining feature of the CAQ government in recent months. With François Legault’s departure, this government has one final opportunity to change direction. Targeting counterweights was clearly Mr. Legault’s last attempt to revive a government that had lost momentum. We now know this path leads nowhere. The government must acknowledge this reality, stop eroding the rule of law, and focus on measures capable of having a real and lasting impact on people’s lives,” the organizations’ spokespersons stated.