CUPE Quebec is sending an invitation to all members and their families. A major family demonstration against EI reform will be held this Saturday, February 23, 2013, starting at 11 a.m. All protests will take place simultaneously in several cities across Quebec.
“The obligation to accept a job at a lower wage will have a negative effect on working conditions for everyone,” predicts CUPE-Quebec President Lucie Levasseur. “Despite a myriad of criticisms of the changes announced unilaterally by the Harper government, it is ploughing ahead with the demolition of EI.”
The critics argue that this reform ignores the economic reality in many areas where the work is, by definition, seasonal. Consider, for example, fishing and forestry.
The reform also affects larger centres. It will have a significant impact on the work of school bus drivers, school system employees, university lecturers and construction workers. And these are just a few examples.
Under the Harper government’s reform, claimants will have to accept a lower-paying job at a location up to an hour from their home, or risk losing their benefits.
Protest departure points:
February 23, 2013: the departure time for all regions is 11 a.m.
MONTRÉAL
DEPARTURE: 200 René-Lévesque Blvd. West
ARRIVAL: Radio-Canada (1400 René-Lévesque Blvd. West)
SHERBROOKE
DEPARTURE: 790 Rand Street, Sherbrooke
ARRIVAL: Radio-Canada (1335 King Street West)
SAGUENAY/LAC ST‐JEAN
DEPARTURE: 1299 Champs-Élysées Street, Chicoutimi
ARRIVAL: Radio-Canada (500 des Saguenéens, Chicoutimi)
ROUYN
DEPARTURE: 201 du Terminus, Rouyn-Noranda
ARRIVAL: RNC Media (380 Murdoch Avenue, Rouyn-Noranda)
RIMOUSKI
DEPARTURE: Radio-Canada (185 René-Lepage East, Rimouski)
**Protesters will meet in the surrounding streets to gather in front of Radio-Canada **
OUTAOUAIS
Shuttle bus: Robert Guertin Arena (125 Carillon Street, Hull, Gatineau). People must arrive by 9:30 to be seated on the bus.
DEPARTURE: Ottawa Parliament (111 Wellington Street, Ottawa)
ARRIVAL: Radio-Canada (181 Queen Street, Ottawa)
CÔTE‐NORD
DEPARTURE: WalMart (1005, Laure Blvd., Sept-Iles)
ARRIVAL: Radio-Canada (350 Smith Street, Sept-Iles)
DEPARTURE: Hôtel la Caravelle (202 Lasalle Blvd., Baie-Comeau)
ARRIVAL: Radio-Canada (319 Lasalle Blvd. Baie-Comeau)
DEPARTURE: WalMart (630 Laflèche, Baie-Comeau – Hauterive)
ARRIVAL: Chez Greco (1257 Laflèche, Baie-Comeau ‐‐ Hauterive)
MAURICIE / BOIS-FRANCS
DEPARTURE: Fernand-Bédard Stadium (Carmel Blvd.,Trois-Rivières)
ARRIVAL: Radio-Canada (225 des Forges, Trois-Rivières)
QUEBEC CITY
Shuttle bus: 5000 Boul. des Gradins, Quebec City. People must arrive by 10 a.m. to be seated on the bus.
DEPARTURE: 1220 Place Georges-V West, Quebec City
ARRIVAL: Radio-Canada (888 Saint-Jean, Quebec City)