Criticism of Legault government laws draws international support for unions

Quatre dirigeants syndicaux: Éric Gingras, de la CSQ, Robert Comeau, de l'APTS, François Enault, de la CSN et Magali Picard, de la FTQ, photographiés lors d'une conférence de presse à Québec, le 23 février 2024. LA PRESSE CANADIENNE/Jacques Boissinot

Quebec unions have received international backing in their fight against several of the Legault government’s proposed laws.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) issued a statement expressing “its full and unwavering support for unions in Quebec facing a series of serious attacks on trade union rights and democracy.

”Its secretary general, Luc Triangle, said that “what is happening in Quebec is not a simple technical reform; it is a frontal attack on trade union freedom and democracy.”

The ITUC is an international organization dedicated to promoting and defending workers’ rights and interests.

It collaborates with the International Labour Organization and several specialized UN agencies.

Quebec unions have been particularly critical of one law and one bill.

The law that more tightly regulates the right to strike and sets out services to ensure the population’s well-being took effect on Nov. 30.

It is already being challenged in court by several unions.

They are also denouncing a bill that would make union dues optional and impose standards for financial reporting.

By Lia Lévesque

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 27, 2026.