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Montréal – On the day before his inaugural speech at the National Assembly, labour organizations called on Premier François Legault to get back on course, stop using diversion tactics, and deal with the real challenges that Quebecers are facing.

As the government raises the prospect of reforms to the “union system” and continued budget cuts to public services, the unions pointed out that Quebecers would actually like to see concrete solutions to real problems: the housing crisis, the rising cost of living, and access to health care, social services, and services in education.

“Slashing public systems and services is certainly not the way to meet Quebecers’ growing needs,” said union spokespersons Robert Comeau (APTS), Luc Vachon (CSD), Caroline Senneville (CSN), Éric Gingras (CSQ), Mélanie Hubert (FAE), Julie Daignault (FIQ), Magali Picard (FTQ), Michel Girard (CUPE Québec) and Guillaume Bouvrette (SPGQ) at a press conference. “We need to strengthen the state, not weaken it. The government is laying people off, depriving itself of valuable expertise, and choosing instead to outsource – which often costs twice as much. And that’s not even mentioning multiple cost overruns like the ones we’ve seen for SAAQclic and the project to digitize Quebecers’ medical records.”

François Legault’s directive to provide shock treatment for the Québec government will lead to more cuts in services for school children, CEGEP students, and people who rely on social services or need to go to the hospital. It will also mean longer wait times to access government services, and will have a greater impact on vulnerable and lower-income Quebecers.

“The state’s ability to fulfill its missions is already severely challenged,” said the union spokespersons. “Introducing more budget cuts would be running full speed into a wall. If we really want to reduce spending, we should first stop multiplying structures like Mobilité Infra Québec and Santé Québec, and stop wasting public funds on loss-making investments such as Northvolt.”

Through these austerity measures and repeated attacks on labour unions, it looks like the government is trying to undermine the counterweights that are essential to democracy. Bill 89 (the Boulet reform), limiting the right to strike, is an example that speaks for itself. The spokespersons noted that unions are agents of social progress, bringing solutions, dialogue, and most importantly, the voice of working people. To try and silence them is to refuse debate and citizens’ participation. 

“Do Quebecers want to take this direction? We really don’t think so,” said the union spokespersons. “Pointing a finger at labour is a diversion tactic. The Legault government is in freefall in terms of popular support, and it’s trying to strengthen its base with this kind of statement while silencing critics. But this actually does nothing to improve people’s daily lives. It offers no solutions and undermines both dialogue and social peace.”

The Estates General on the Union Movement: already looking for solutions

The unions reasserted their commitment to modernizing Québec’s labour relations model to better meet workers’ expectations and increase their ability to respond to new realities in the world of work. The Estates General on the Union Movement, launched on March 31, 2025, provide tangible evidence of this commitment. 

“Instead of looking for scapegoats, the premier should commit to genuine social dialogue,” said the spokespersons. “What we’re suggesting is an honest discussion with our members and civil society, because workers are the ones who make Québec society work on a daily basis.”

The labour organizations would like the inaugural speech on September 30 to mark a turning point by calling for responsibility, social cohesion, and an ambitious vision for Québec. They will continue to be present and to defend the rights not only of workers, but of all Quebecers.