Bill 89 faces constitutional challenge from McGill law professors, unions

Daycare workers take part in a demonstration on the first day of a strike in Montreal, Thursday, January 23, 2025. (Graham Hughes / The Canadian Press)

A group of McGill University law professors has joined a legal challenge to Bill 89, which expands the powers of Quebec’s labour minister to intervene in strikes.

The Association of McGill Professors of Law and three other unions argue that the law is unconstitutional and are petitioning the court to declare it invalid.

The unions say the law “significantly” restricts the right to strike by broadening the definition of what is an essential service and allows Labour Minister Jean Boulet to unilaterally end any strike.

“This legislation directly threatens our fundamental rights and our collective bargaining power,” the association said in a press release.

Boulet, who introduced the law adopted in May, has defended it by saying Quebec has far more strikes than any other province.

The legislation has faced widespread criticism from several of the province’s largest unions.