(Québec) The red square worn by student leaders caused quite a stir at the convention of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) this weekend. They deplore the treatment reserved for them by the party and by Prime Minister François Legault himself.
Posted at 9:51 p.m.
Present as observers, like other spokespersons for social groups, four representatives of the Fédération étudiante collégiale du Québec (FECQ) wore the famous symbol of maple spring to mark the 10th anniversary of the student strike, as they have been doing so on a regular basis since March 22.
The new president of the FECQ, Maya Labrosse, maintains that the party refused them access to the congress even if they were duly registered. “They came to tell us that we had no right to be present on the scene and that we were going to reimburse our tickets if we left without making too much noise”, she alleges.
Following discussions with various contacts within the government, the four students were finally able to stay on site. But according to Mme Labrosse, the party tried to expel them on two other occasions. They had to take further steps to stay.
“A complete lack of listening”
Like other observers present, they tried to meet François Legault to talk to him about various issues, including their demand for effective free education. But “the red square disturbed” the Prime Minister, according to Mme The brush.
“We came up against a complete lack of listening on the part of the Prime Minister. He wasn’t able to get over our red square to hear what we had to say. He told us we were there for the wrong reasons. He said to us: ‟You are with Gabriel! “”, she says. Mr. Legault was referring to Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, leader of CLASSE during the Maple Spring and now co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire.
“He looked really shocked”, “he didn’t want us to say a word” and “the bodyguards were around him”, adds Maya Labrosse.
According to Mr. Legault’s press secretary, Ewan Sauves, the Prime Minister “took the time to discuss with them”. “They wore the red square to mark 10 years of the student strike and we just didn’t think it was the place or the time to do it. Among other things, they pleaded for effective free education and Mr. Legault told them that this was not a position that was proposed by the CAQ. »
He acknowledges that there was “an issue with the registration”, but he maintains that “everything was settled quickly”. “They had access to all the events and activities of the congress. »
The FECQ, “a non-partisan organization” which represents 78,000 students, will request a meeting with the Prime Minister to present its priorities for the elections, specifies Maya Labrosse.