Federal Council on December 5 and 6, 2023
Word from the President
The last regular decision-making meeting in June 2023 marked the end of the mailing of the paper version of the En Action newsletter. That is why today I am very pleased to present the new digital FIQ en Action, which from now on will be sent out to subscribers by email. While the format may have changed, the goal is still the same: to inform you about the debates and decisions made by your representatives at federal councils.
At the federal council on December 5 and 6, there were several important and sensitive topics on the agenda: Bill 15 (now assented to), the state of negotiations and the strike, the priority actions and the 2024 financial forecast.
Regarding negotiations, despite a significant change in tone at the table following our first series of strike days, it is clear that there is still a lot of work to do before we reach an agreement. It will have taken a year, a half a million people in the streets and a 10-point drop in the CAQ’s popularity in the polls for the employer to finally decide to discuss our proposals. But it’s not over yet, and we will have to keep up the pressure until we reach a satisfying agreement.
We also addressed the new Act 15. On this matter, the FIQ is working with over a hundred organizations to denounce the excessive reform, which is predicted to be catastrophic for the health network. Thousands of people asked Minister Dubé to hit pause on his reform to fully evaluate the consequences of it. Despite this, in keeping with its methods, the government chose to act hastily and passed the law under a gag order in an anti-democratic and reckless way.
As concerns our priority actions, 2024 will be a pivotal year: deployment of the next collective agreement, work related to Act 15, and the adoption of a law on safe ratios. The same goes for our financial forecast, which must take these priorities into account. Still feeling the effects of the pandemic, the Federation must remain vigilant in order to restore financial equilibrium in the medium term.
It is already clear that 2024 will not be a restful year. All the same, we will remain mobilized to defend the rights of healthcare professionals and we will continue to support the strong public health network that Quebecers aspire to.
Julie Bouchard
President
Your representatives in action
