Quebec labour unions challenging Union Governance Act in court

La Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) president Eric Gingras gives remarks in Montreal on Thursday, March 26, 2026. (Christopher Katsarov/ The Canadian Press)

The Quebec Federation of Labour Unions (CSQ) filed its challenge to the new Union Governance and Transparency Act with the Superior Court on Friday.

The law, introduced by Labour Minister Jean Boulet, is best known for two of its provisions: the establishment of optional union dues in addition to regular dues, and new requirements for unions to file financial statements.

In the eyes of the union federation, which has 235,000 members, this is an “unconstitutional, arbitrary, and unfair law.”

Thus, the CSQ and its federations are asking the Superior Court to declare several sections of the new law, passed last April, “inapplicable, invalid, and inoperative.”

They argue that the law infringes upon freedom of expression, freedom of thought, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association, as guaranteed by the Quebec and Canadian charters.

They are also seeking damages for the violation of fundamental rights.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 15, 2026.