No. 20
April 15, 2026
Mass Workers' Opposition in Quebec
• Community
Organizations Hold Two-Week Strike to
Demand Government Fulfill Its Responsibilities
• Quebec City Demonstration Demands
Government
Defend Rights of
All
• Militant Opposition to Pay-the-Rich Nation-Wrecking Agenda
• Quebec Paramedics
Persist in Fighting
for Just Demands
Mass Workers' Opposition in Quebec
Quebec in an Uproar
Quebec City, April 2, 2026
The scale of public protest and outrage in Quebec is deeply shaking the ruling class. The ruling class is now clearly aware that the working class and people are categorically opposed to the actions of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government, supported by all the cartel parties represented in the National Assembly. They oppose the laws passed, the restructuring of the state that places narrow private interests at the heart of the decision-making process, the anti-worker measures, the attempts to divide the people under various pretexts, including in the name of national unity and reconciliation, the false "law of laws" called the Constitution, the cartel parties' claim to exercise parliamentary sovereignty, and much more.
During the week of March 31, the government passed three reactionary bills despite the well-known opposition and objections of people from all walks of life. These are Bill 3, an Act to improve the transparency, governance and democratic process of various associations in the workplace; Bill 7, an Act to reduce bureaucracy, increase government efficiency and reinforce the accountability of senior public servants; and Bill 9, an Act respecting the reinforcement of laicity in Quebec.
Bill 3 is a brutal attack on workers' organizations and their members. It amounts to total interference in the internal affairs of unions, undermining the collective action of Quebec workers. This interference manifests itself in the auditing of financial statements and annual reports, among other things. Bill 3 also includes a chapter to make membership dues optional for activities not directly related to the collective agreement. The government wants to turn unions into appendages of the state, regulating and controlling their activities. This is specifically aimed at breaking them, distorting them and silencing the voice of the unions and the workers they represent to prevent them from intervening in the public sphere on all issues concerning society.
Bill 7 is part of the mandate given in September 2025 by outgoing Premier François Legault to Minister of the Treasury Board France-Élaine Duranceau, who tabled the bill. Her mandate letter reads: "We need nothing less than to break free from the current system, break free from this straitjacket; we need to drastically cut back on bureaucracy. The new President of the Treasury Board will be responsible for ensuring that each ministry cleans up the bureaucracy, and she will have my full support." Duranceau introduced the bill with the goal of reducing spending by $35 million by 2029-2030, affecting at least 40 entities. The 100-page omnibus bill makes 128 changes: 78 laws are amended and three are repealed; 34 regulations are amended, two are repealed, and there is one decree. Bill 7 is part of a "shock therapy" approach to downsizing the state, leading to the elimination of certain structures and, more broadly, the elimination of 5,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions by 2027.
Bill 9 is an attack on freedom of conscience with the introduction of police powers in education and childcare services. It is linked to Bill 94, an Act to reinforce laicity in the education network and to amend various legislative provisions. Bill 9 imposes prohibitions in the name of the principles upon which the laicity of the state is based. It targets early childhood centres, subsidized childcare centres, home-based childcare coordinating offices, individuals responsible for subsidized home-based childcare services, accredited educational institutions, private health care facilities under contract, intermediate resources, and family-type resources. This bill is being denounced throughout Quebec as racist, inhumane, discriminatory, divisive, anti-women and destructive to society, and as having no place in a modern Quebec.
All these anti-people bills, regulations and measures have sparked a new wave of protests across Quebec. The first rally was held on Saturday, April 11, during the Liberal Party of Canada's National Convention, which took from April 9 to 11 at the Montreal Convention Centre, just prior to the three April 13 federal by-elections. The Carney government's aim in these by-elections was to give itself a majority to claim legitimacy for its counter-revolutionary anti-social restructuring that gives carte blanche to supranational billionaires in the health, energy, security, communications, transportation and defence production sectors to plunder Canada's resources and use public monies to enrich themselves. The second protest took place on April 12 during the CAQ leadership convention in Drummondville, where Christine Fréchette was chosen as the party's new leader, thus becoming the new de facto Quebec Premier as chosen by a minuscule number of people.
March and rally outside Liberal Party
convention, Montreal, April 11, 2026
On April 2, more than 10,000 people, community groups and advocacy organizations demonstrated in Quebec City in front of the National Assembly to demand massive investments to enable them to carry out their missions to affirm rights and meet the people's needs, and to oppose the CAQ government's dismantling of public services as well as Bill 7, which specifically targets them.
Earlier this spring, the mass movement sweeping Quebec had further intensified following the tabling of Finance Minister Éric Girard's budget on March 18, a budget deemed anti-people, anti-social, and designed to benefit the rich.
From March 23 to April 2, thousands of community workers across Quebec held a general strike to denounce the chronic underfunding imposed by the government. Under the banner "Community Workers at the End of their Rope," they demand a significant increase in their funding.
On March 28, several hundred people and their organizations gathered in front of the Château Royal in Laval, where the final debate between CAQ leadership contenders Bernard Drainville and Christine Fréchette was taking place. The people presented their own agenda on the issues facing Quebec. Paramedics, on strike for months, turned out in large numbers to demand better pay and working conditions that allow them to save lives, fully aware of their essential role in the health care system. Community organizations demanded funding and working conditions that would allow them to fulfill their responsibilities.
Environmental activists and residents of Lanaudière and the surrounding area reaffirmed that Quebec's territory belongs to the people of Quebec, not to wealthy private interests. They also represented a coalition of more than 25 citizens' committees across Quebec calling for a moratorium on wind farm development until a comprehensive public hearing (BAPE) is held on the wind energy sector.
On February 20, actions were held in nine Quebec cities to mark World Day of Social Justice, demanding that the government take immediate steps to ensure everyone has access to housing, health care and social programs -- in short, to stop the government's agenda of paying the rich and serving the oligarchs.
There were also demonstrations by thousands of people and advocacy groups on February 7 in Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, Sherbrooke and Montreal to oppose the abolition of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), which guarantees a fast track to permanent residency.
Demonstrations against abolition of Quebec Experience Program in
Chaudiere- Appalaches (top) and Montreal, February 7, 2026
The people of Quebec do not accept the restructuring plans of the CAQ, first under Legault and no doubt to be continued under Fréchette, to pay the rich and destroy society in their name. They are fed up with this corrupt government that acts with impunity, with its "law of laws" and its parliamentary sovereignty, and all the other measures that aim to silence the people, prevent them from speaking for themselves and criminalize them.
(Photos: TML, AFPC-Quebec, CSN)
Community Organizations Hold Two-Week
Strike to Demand
Government
Fulfill Its Responsibilities
Gatineau picket, March 28, 2026
From March 23 to April 2, 1,809
community organizations spread
across Quebec's 17 administrative regions held a two-week strike
to
demand the Quebec government take up its social responsibility
by
making a substantial investment in the community sector --
considered a
pillar of
the social safety net -- to meet the growing needs of the
people. These
organizations are responsible for crisis and suicide prevention
centres, food assistance, distress hotlines, delinquency
prevention,
daycare centres and palliative care facilities, support for
families
affected by violence,
shelters, and support for seniors -- to name just some of their
responsibilities which are crucial to society. The consequences
of
deliberate government underfunding of these organizations are
dramatic:
loss of skilled workers, constant staff turnover, teams too
small to
meet growing needs,
ever longer wait lists along with a myriad of reduced or
outright
cancelled services.
The movement "Communautaire à boutte" (Community Organizations at the End of their Rope) began in Shawinigan and Mékinac before spreading to all regions of Quebec. It condemns the chronic underfunding, mounting social needs and the growing burnout of staff in community organizations. More than 20,000 workers have participated in the strike actions. They warn that without significant investment the long-term viability of many organizations is at risk. Close to three million people use these services, and those in this sector refuse to leave the people they serve to fend for themselves in the most wretched way.
During the presentation of the Quebec budget on March 18, the government's contempt for those who provide and use these services took the form of some crumbs scattered in their direction in an attempt to silence them.
It is estimated that an additional investment of $2.6 billion would be required to ensure some form of long-term viability. "This is also an issue of equity, as it is predominantly women who are affected by this untenable situation, both as workers and as service users," argues Caroline Toupin, spokesperson for the coalition of community organizations.
"No matter who we are, across Quebec, it is easy to see that we are experiencing a historic crisis in living conditions, whether we're talking about access to health care, housing or the cost of groceries. But despite this, we also recognize that we can do a great deal to help one another at the local level, thanks to community groups. Although this represents an effective and democratic way of meeting the needs of the local population, it requires resources to function," adds Ria Mayer, community organizer with the Pointe-Saint-Charles and Petite-Bourgogne Community Legal Services.
Marches, rallies in front of the offices of Members of the National Assembly, leaflet distributions, car convoys, soup kitchens and other gatherings were held to demand the fulfilment of rights which belong to people by virtue of being human. Their actions have received the support of thousands upon thousands of people, including volunteers as well as those who depend on the services these organizations provide, because they will be the first to be affected if these organizations do not receive sufficient funding. Faced with growing insecurity and poverty, they have smashed the silence on this situation by making widely known their demands for more resources and adequate pay which permits them to carry out their responsibilities.
The strike concluded on April 2 with a mass rally in front of the Quebec National Assembly. In the meantime, the movement continues to press for its demands.
Pickets in central region of Quebec on Day 1 of strike, March
23, 2026
Pickets in central region of Quebec on Day 2 of strike, March
24, 2026
Gatineau, March 28, 2026
(Photos: Communautaire à boutte, Maison Des Jeunes Mont
Laurier, CDC Longueuil, TROC GQM)
Quebec City Demonstration Demands
Government Defend Rights of
All
On
April 2, more than 10,000 people from all regions of Quebec
gathered
outside the Quebec National Assembly, refusing to remain silent
and
demanding massive investment for Quebec's community groups.
Every
region of Quebec turned out in force! People came from Northern
Québec and Abitibi-Témiscamingue, through Lower
St.Lawrence and Gaspé Peninsula, the Magdalen Islands, the North
Shore, Saguenay--Lac-Saint-Jean, Beauce, Centre-du-Québec,
Mauricie, Eastern Townships, Montérégie, the Laurentians,
the Outaouais, Laval, Montreal and Quebec City.
The rally called for necessary measures to ensure that community groups can carry out their work to the highest standards, through investment and decent working conditions and wages. As one of the organizations stated: "Community work is not an expense. It is a strategic and indispensable pillar. We have raised our negotiating stand because we are not here merely to make up the numbers. We are here to make our voices heard! The community sector refuses to remain silent!"
Meanwhile, inside the National Assembly, a farewell ceremony was being held for François Legault, who was officially stepping down as Premier, in which he was showered with praise by representatives of the cartel parties.
They pledged to rally again in Drummondville on April 12, when the result of the CAQ leadership race was to be announced and the winner of that race sworn in the following day as Premier of Quebec.
(Photos: TML, A. Querry, CSN)
Militant Opposition to Pay-the-Rich
Nation-Wrecking Agenda
Paramedics participate in
demonstration outside Coalition Avenir Québec leadership
convention,
April 12, 2026
The day before the federal by-election took place in Terrebonne, Quebec, on April 12 the vote to elect the new leader of the ruling Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), and de facto future premier of Quebec took place. The contest was between two well-known advocates of privatization and anti-people, anti-union measures, Bernard Drainville and Christine Fréchette. A final debate was organized between them at the Château Royal in Laval on the evening of March 26 at which hundreds of people protested and defended their own agenda of what they consider the issues facing Quebec.
Paramedics, who have been on strike for months, were present in large numbers at the protest, speaking out to demand wages and working conditions that allow them to save lives, fully aware of their essential role in the healthcare system. Community organizations, active throughout Quebec since March 23, demanded funding and working conditions that enable them to meet their responsibilities. Environmental activists and residents of Lanaudière and the surrounding area reaffirmed that the territory of Quebec belongs to them and not to rich private interests. They also represented a coalition of more than 25 citizens' committees across Quebec calling for a moratorium on wind energy development until a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (BAPE) on the wind energy sector is conducted.
A bitter battle is being waged across Quebec to remove the province's human and natural resources from the control of private interests. This is the policy championed by Prime Minister Carney as well as the ruling party in Quebec and the contenders for the leadership of the CAQ and to become Quebec Premier, Drainville and Fréchette. In the absence of any serious discussion on how their policies are wrecking Quebec, the debate became a barrage of personal attacks and counter-attacks which clearly serve to show that these people do not reflect either the demands or the culture of the people of Quebec.
Demonstration outside Coalition Avenir
Québec leadership convention, April 12, 2026
(Photos : SCFP-Québec, Le communautaire à Boutte, Regroupement Vigilance Énergie Québec. Photos: TML, CSN)
Quebec Paramedics Persist in Fighting
for Just Demands
Paramedics participate in rally outside the Coalition Avenir
Québec leadership convention,
April 12, 2026
The following was published in the Confederation of National Trade Unions (CSN) #35 March information bulletin on the negotiations of Quebec paramedics.
Yesterday, the CSN unions representing 3,300 paramedics across Quebec met in Quebec City for a sectoral federal council meeting to take stock of the state of negotiations and the next steps in the mobilization plan.
First, the bargaining committee outlined the situation at the negotiation table. The employer's latest offer, dated February 20, 2026, was presented.
Delegates at the council voted unanimously to reject it. Among the reasons for this rejection are:
- The government's complete refusal to recognize the true value of our work;
- The government's intention to stop compensating for work overload;
- The government's refusal to grant us the conditions negotiated with the Common Front in the health and social services network, particularly regarding evening, night, and weekend premiums, as well as overtime pay.
Let us recall that at the end of the last negotiation meeting, the conciliator invited the negotiators from both sides to consult with their respective mandates. For members of our bargaining committee, this was an opportunity to confirm that we remain firmly united behind them as they explain to the employer that the offers currently on the table do not allow for the conclusion of a satisfactory agreement.
We remain focused on improving working conditions and wages, the only real way to ensure the retention of paramedics and the sustainability of services to the population.
Action
To support the return of our bargaining committee to the negotiating table and convince the employer that it is in its interest to respond to our priority demands, strong mobilization will be crucial.
In this regard, the unions adopted the following resolution:
- That the unions in the prehospital sector of the Federation of Health and Social Services-CSN continue actions aimed at maintaining and increasing pressure for as long as necessary to obtain a satisfactory agreement;
- That our mobilization efforts target both political elements and disruptions in workplaces, without endangering the credibility of paramedics or patient safety;
- That our mobilization follow a logic of escalating pressure;
- That we continue our efforts to limit individual actions that weaken us;
- That unions maintain dialogue with their members in order to strengthen unity and cohesion.
Stay the Course!
This negotiation is proving to be very difficult. Far too long for nothing... But our mobilization so far has not been in vain. By calling on decision-makers, staging high-profile actions, speaking out, and ensuring our negotiations are talked about by every possible means, we are making a satisfactory settlement with us an increasingly attractive option for our counterparts.
Coalition Avenir Québec elected officials are not indifferent to the situation, despite what they claim publicly. Our on-the-ground mobilization and our media initiatives have generated more than 300 articles in major Quebec newspapers and around one hundred radio and television reports across Quebec since the beginning of 2026. That's an average of four media appearances every day!
The public is becoming increasingly aware that the future of the sector is at stake in this negotiation. All of this is made possible by our daily mobilization.
We must continue in this direction and go further, strike harder. Our mobilization committee already has several new projects in mind.
Stay tuned!
To find all the negotiation information bulletins click
here.
(Translated from original French by TML. Photo: A. Querry)
(To access articles individually click on the black headline.)
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca