This text is part of the special Syndicalism booklet
“There is an urgent need to act to protect the environment,” says Daniel Boyer, president of the Quebec Federation of Labor (FTQ). It invites those elected to power to take care of the planet, of democracy and of the less fortunate with energy and conviction.
“Right now, in Quebec, we need to fix up some aging infrastructure. But we do this at what environmental cost? asks Daniel Boyer. On behalf of the 600,000 employees he represents, he highlights the need to make the fight against climate change a major and cross-cutting responsibility, shared by all departments. His wish ? That we evaluate the ecological consequences of each government decision.
“In the healthcare network, when you choose one product over another, what is the impact? When we build homes for seniors, how much GHG do we generate? That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t build. But it is important, at the very least, that we know this and that we ask ourselves if we can compensate for these emissions, ”says the trade unionist.
The FTQ urges the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ), criticized for its environmental record, to step up the pace and listen to citizens who are concerned about the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on the Evolution climate (IPCC).
The environment and energy resources are also positioned as the first concern of Quebecers, after the economy and health, according to the Cirano Barometer 2022, which surveys almost every year, since 2011, the subjects that are dear to them. .
“What we want, at the FTQ, is that Mr. Legault not behave like a dictator from the height of his 90 deputies, that he does not decide for himself according to the interests of the CAQ, but according to the interests of the people of Quebec. He urges the Prime Minister to take into account opposition and civil society organizations, such as unions or municipalities, during his next term.
“We must establish a real social dialogue,” he said. He reminds us that we live in a democracy, a political system whose legitimacy is not based solely on a vote every four years. “Democracy also means consulting the population as widely as possible to make a large contribution to consensus. »
Regarding democracy, what conclusions does the FTQ draw from the election results? The CAQ, with 41% of the vote, won 90 deputies in the chamber, while the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ), with 13% of the vote, won none. “We have a democratic deficit in Quebec and we think we have to correct that situation. »
Pointing to Quebecers’ lack of interest in the issue, François Legault defends himself for not having respected his promise to reform the voting system during his first years in the Blue Room. However, this argument does not hold water, according to Daniel Boyer. “It’s true that a lot of education remains to be done. With inflation, the labor shortage, the pandemic, it’s sure that it’s not people’s priority. But there, the result of the last election, I think it lit several lights, because the imbalance is incredible. »
The disparity was less obvious in 2018: by accumulating 37% of the votes, the CAQ had won 74 ridings.
Inflation
The FTQ opposes the solutions put forward by the CAQ to help citizens cope with the rising cost of living. Lowering the tax by one percentage point for the first two levels would be counterproductive. Schools and hospitals are crumbling — figuratively and literally — after years of liberal austerity. Massive investments are necessary, and this is not the time to reduce public funds, believes the workers’ group.
The CAQ also offers to distribute checks. To taxpayers who earned less than $50,000 in 2021, she promises to give back $600. Those who received between $50,000 and $100,000 will benefit from $400. Seniors with more modest incomes will receive up to $2,000.
The FTQ is calling for more structural measures: increase the minimum wage to $18 an hour, increase the amounts of the solidarity tax credit, offer social insurance benefits.
“Whoever makes $80,000 doesn’t need $400 more. He will simply postpone the change of his television in two months. We should rather give this money to someone who is paid $14.25 an hour and who is going to eat in two days,” protests Daniel Boyer. It is a question of social justice.
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the To have to, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of To have to did not take part.