Press release
End of clause-by-clause study of Bill 3

The government is preparing to adopt one of the worst laws in the history of the Labour Code

The QFL, CSN and CSQ deplore the imminent adoption of Bill 3 by the CAQ government, as the clause-by-clause study concluded yesterday. Just months before the election, the government has chosen to further tilt the balance of labour relations for essentially ideological reasons rather than address the population’s real priorities, such as the cost-of-living crisis and access to public services.

While the adoption of certain amendments clarifies its scope, the Act to improve transparency, governance and the democratic process of various workplace associations remains another attack by this government on the rights of workers. Ironically, the numerous administrative requirements that Bill 3 would impose would be costly for unionized workers. This unnecessary bureaucratization of union organizations will inevitably weaken the defence of workers’ rights. For the three major labour federations, the government is targeting the role of unions as social actors by attempting to prevent them from fighting for gains that benefit the broader population.

It should be recalled that Bill 3, introduced by Labour Minister Jean Boulet, comes on top of Bill 14, which restricts the right of workers to strike. In addition to these attacks on workers’ rights, the government has introduced several troubling bills, including Bill 1 and Bill 9, to the point that the Barreau du Québec and the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ) have publicly expressed concern about an authoritarian drift and the erosion of the rule of law.

“This government will leave behind two things: the worst laws against workers adopted in decades and an incomprehensible lack of action on the issues that matter most to the population. With François Legault’s resignation, we had hoped that this government would change course and focus on the priorities of citizens. Instead, it chose to please employers by moving forward with this bill, which we consider unconstitutional,” stated Caroline Senneville, President of the CSN, Éric Gingras, President of the CSQ, and Magali Picard, President of the FTQ.

“Trade unions have always stepped up to improve the lives of Quebecers. Is it necessary to remind anyone that union struggles led to the creation of CPE childcare centres, the implementation of pay equity, and the development of our public services, particularly in education and health care? With these bills attacking workers, the CAQ is attempting to silence countervailing powers. Our organizations are calling on the candidates seeking to succeed François Legault to commit to not adopting this bill. In recent days, they have distanced themselves from certain bad decisions made by the government, notably the abolition of the PEQ. It is not too late to do the same with Bill 3. The other political parties must also commit to repealing this law,” concluded the presidents of the three major labour federations.

Sources: CSN, CSQ, FTQ