Latest news with #loi
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Unions slam Quebec government for adopting law limiting strikes
Members of the FAE teachers union march to begin their strike, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023 in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press) Quebec's bill limiting the scope of strikes was adopted Thursday, and labour unions are calling it a 'dark day' for all workers. 'The premier and his labour minister have clearly failed to grasp the extent of the damage that this new legislation will cause,' said the heads of nine major unions in a news release. The Coalition Avenir Québec and the Liberals voted for the bill, while the Parti Québécois and Québec Solidaire voted against it. It passed with 94 votes. Labour Minister Jean Boulet said the bill intended to 'take into consideration the needs of the population' and said, 'whether it's a strike or lockout, it's important to find the right balance.' There were 759 work stoppages (90 per cent of which were strikes) in Quebec in 2024, the highest of all Canadian provinces. He said some strikes go on for 'very long periods of time' with 'many different damages.' Under the new law, arbitrators can determine the content of a collective agreement in order to end a labour dispute in certain cases. Workers must now maintain 'minimum services,' rather than 'essential services,' during a strike or lockout to ensure the 'well-being of the population' and avoid 'disproportionately affecting the social, economic or environmental security' of the population. The Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux (APTS), Centrale des syndicats démocratiques (CSD), Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), Fédération Autonome de l'Enseignement (FAE), Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ), Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), Syndicat de la fonction publique et parapublique du Québec (SFPQ) and Syndicat de professionnelles et professionnels du gouvernement du Québec (SPGQ) all came out against Bill 89. Minister turning 'everything upside down' The unions say there was already a 'fragile balance' between workers and employers. 'Trade unions cannot understand why Jean Boulet wanted to turn everything upside down, except to subject all employees to the whims of employers and to please employers and a cabinet with anti-union tendencies,' they said. 'The framework surrounding the exercise of the right to strike, which was limited overall, offered workers the opportunity to improve their conditions within clear guidelines. The minister seems to have found excuses to trample on their rights.' Québec Solidaire's Alexandre Leduc called the law 'discriminatory' and 'authoritarian,' saying it gives the Labour Minister too much power to break strikes. He sided with the unions, pointing out that there are already provisions protecting essential services when it comes to labour disputes that have proven successful. Boulet pushed back saying the decisions will be handed down by impartial and independent parties like the Labour Tribunal and arbitrators. Leduc maintained that strikes are preceded by months of negotiations, and 'it's not fun for anyone to go on strike' but it is one of the only tools to demand better working conditions and 'improve the quality of life for the middle class.' He also said employers often stall negotiations, but 'no one talks about that perspective.' Law could end up before the courts The unions say the impact of the bill will be felt even by non-unionized workers. 'The gains achieved through bargaining exert positive pressure on non-unionized sectors, forcing employers to adjust to remain competitive. The government is attacking the entire Quebec workforce by limiting workers' ability to defend and improve their working conditions,' they said. Pay equity, the establishment of the public child care network, the minimum wage, and parental leave are 'just some of the gains achieved through union mobilization,' they added. Interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay agreed with Boulet on the importance of 'striking a balance' while respecting the fundamental right to strike. Unions can contest the law in court, he said. The unions believe the law would not hold up in court. Meanwhile, they say the Labour Minister is 'not open to discussion' to find a mutually satisfactory solution, and 'trust has been broken.'
The Independent
7 days ago
- General
- The Independent
France latest country to vote on assisted dying measures with ‘lethal medication' bill
France's National Assembly is set to vote on a bill that would permit adults with incurable illnesses to take lethal medication, reflecting increasing calls for legal end-of-life options throughout Europe. The vote, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, marks a significant point in the debate over the sensitive issue. If a majority of lawmakers approve the bill, it will proceed to the Senate for further consideration. The proposed law defines assisted dying as enabling individuals, under specific conditions, to use a lethal substance themselves. Assistance from a doctor or nurse would only be available to those physically unable to administer the medication themselves. Eligibility for the measure would require patients to be over 18, and either French citizens or residents of France. A team of medical professionals would need to confirm that the patient has a severe and incurable condition in an advanced or terminal stage, is experiencing unbearable and untreatable pain, and is voluntarily seeking lethal medication. Individuals with severe psychiatric conditions or neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, would not qualify under the proposed legislation. The person would initiate the request for lethal medication and confirm the request after a period of reflection. If approved, a doctor would then deliver a prescription for the lethal medication, which could be taken at home, at a nursing home or a health care facility. In parallel, another bill on palliative care meant to reinforce measures to relieve pain and preserve patients' dignity will also be put to a vote Tuesday. A 2023 report indicated that most French citizens back legalizing end-of-life options, and opinion polls show growing support over the past 20 years. Initial discussions in parliament last year were abruptly interrupted by President Emmanuel Macron 's decision to dissolve the National Assembly, plunging France into a months-long political crisis. Months-long debate still ahead A definitive vote on the measure could take months to be scheduled amid France's long and complex legislative process. The National Assembly has the final say over the Senate. Earlier this month, Macron suggested he could ask for French voters to approve the measure via referendum if parliament discussions get off track. Activists supporting the change have criticised the complexity and length of the parliamentary process that they say is penalising patients waiting for end-of-life options. Many French people have traveled to neighbouring countries where medically assisted suicide or euthanasia are legal. The Association for the Right to Die with Dignity (ADMD) has called on French lawmakers 'to respect the French who want the same right that our Dutch, Belgian, Luxembourgian, Swiss, Spanish, Portuguese neighbors have.' French religious leaders issued this month a joint statement to denounce the bill, warning about the 'dangers' of an 'anthropological rupture.' The Conference of Religious Leaders in France (CRCF), which represents the Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist communities, said the proposed measures risk exerting pressure on older people and those with illnesses or disabilities. Similar talks in the UK The debate in France comes as similar talks are ongoing in the UK, where lawmakers are debating a bill to help terminally ill adults end their lives in England and Wales after giving it initial approval in November. Medically assisted suicide involves patients taking, of their own free will, a lethal drink or medication that has been prescribed by a doctor to those who meet certain criteria. Euthanasia involves doctors or other health practitioners giving patients who meet certain criteria a lethal injection at their own request. Assisted suicide is allowed in Switzerland and several US states. Euthanasia is currently legal in the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Australia, Colombia, Belgium and Luxembourg under certain conditions.
Globe and Mail
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Quebec to set quotas for French-language content on streaming platforms
The Quebec government has tabled a bill to force streaming giants to boost access to French-language content. The bill would allow the government to set quotas for francophone music, film and other content on streaming platforms. It would also require digital platforms to register with the Quebec government and ensure their default interface is in French. As well, the legislation would enshrine in the Quebec charter of human rights and freedoms the right to access French-language cultural content. However, the bill would not apply to digital platforms whose main purpose is to offer Indigenous content. The legislation comes as the federal broadcast regulator holds a public hearing to define Canadian content as it works to implement the Online Streaming Act.
CBC
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Montreal mayoral candidate took in illegal security deposit from tenant renting her home
A candidate running to become Montreal's next mayor collected a security deposit from a tenant who is renting out her family home — a violation of Quebec law. The story was first reported by the Journal de Montréal. Soraya Martinez Ferrada, the leader of Ensemble Montréal, the Official Opposition party at city hall, has promised to make housing more accessible in the city, recently dubbing herself as la mairesse du logement, French for "the mayor of housing." When her four-bedroom, semi-detached bungalow in the city's Saint-Michel neighbourhood was listed in 2023 with the asking price of $2,850 per month, the listing stated that the tenant needed to pay a "one month security deposit for the appliances." "This will be given [back] when the landlord collects the keys," the listing read. Article 1904 of the Quebec Civil Code outlines that a landlord may not "exact any amount of money other than the rent, in the form of a deposit or otherwise." The listing for the candidate's home also stated that the tenant would have to agree to pay a $175 cleaning fee, which is also illegal. Even though Martinez Ferrada's home has a tenant, the listing can still be viewed on the real estate agent's website, but it doesn't mention anything about a deposit. CBC News was able to obtain the original listing with the stipulation about the security deposit and the cleaning fee through Centris, a real estate website with a vast inventory of properties on sale and for rent. Speaking with reporters on Monday, Martinez Ferrada said she entrusted a real estate agent with listing her property. She described requesting and collecting the security deposit as an "error in good faith." In Quebec, a deposit is only valid if the tenant pays it voluntarily and without any pressure from the landlord. $1,000 fee, not $2,850, Martinez Ferrada claims Despite the fee being described in the listing as a "one month" charge, Martinez Ferrada denied the Journal de Montréal report that the tenant paid her $2,850 — which would be the equivalent of one month of rent at the price that was listed. The mayoral candidate claims the tenant paid her $1,000 and that the deposit was not for rent but rather for appliances that she had purchased for the home. She said she only realized she had collected the sum from the tenant after a journalist contacted her about the situation. She said the money has since been given back to the tenant. The mayoral candidate did not address the cleaning fee during her news conference Monday, but a spokesperson for her party told CBC News that fee was never charged despite what was written in the listing. Only the $1,000 security deposit was charged, the spokesperson said. "It's a mistake that happens far too often in Montreal," Martinez Ferrada said Monday. "When mistakes happen, you have to take responsibility for them." Martinez Ferrada was elected as the MP for the Hochelaga riding in 2019. In 2023, she was appointed as the federal tourism minister under Justin Trudeau's Liberal government. In February this year, she quit federal politics with the goal of becoming Montreal's next mayor. Later that month, she became the leader of Ensemble Montréal. She was the only candidate in the race. On Monday, the candidate said she would continue referring to herself as the "mayor of housing." "Part of being mayor is taking responsibility for your actions and that's what I'm doing today." No one's above the law, Projet Montréal leader says In addition to being an MP and Canada's tourism minister, Martinez Ferrada also served as the parliamentary secretary for the federal housing minister. In this year's municipal elections, she'll be going up against Luc Rabouin, who took over from Valérie Plante as the leader for Projet Montréal in March. When asked about the deposit and fees included in the listing for Martinez Ferrada's property, Rabouin said no one was above the law, "especially if you aspire to become the mayor of Montreal." "Two-thirds of Montrealers are tenants and they absolutely need to understand and believe that the future mayor of Montreal understands their reality and will be there to defend their rights," he said. Quebec's municipal elections will be held on Nov. 2.
