With federal by-elections in Québec on the horizon, CUPE-Québec is launching a campaign to inform the public of three troublesome decisions taken by the Mark Carney government that will likely have serious consequences for the rights of workers, public health and the pocketbooks of taxpayers. For CUPE-Québec, Prime Minister Carney certainly doesn’t deserve to be rewarded with extra seats during the upcoming December 7 by-elections, considering these recent decisions.
Beginning Monday evening, three billboards bearing the slogan “Carney doesn’t deserve your vote” will be going up in the ridings facing by-elections. Each poster will highlight a specific issue: the recent attack on the right to negotiate better working conditions, the risk of increased airfares associated with airport privatization and the weakening of protections against dangerous pesticides.
“The Carney government likes to say they are defending the interests of Canadians, but these decisions tell a different story. When you attack the right to strike or weaken protections against the use of dangerous pesticides and start privatizing public infrastructure, there are important questions that need to be asked about this government’s priorities. Quebeckers have the right to know what is being decided in Ottawa and how it could affect their daily lives,” said Patrick Gloutney, president of CUPE-Québec.
Three billboards condemning three decisions
The first billboard, concerning workers’ rights, highlights the following message: “With Bill C-39, Carney is attacking the right to negotiate better working conditions.” Bill C-39 would make it easier for the federal government to intervene to end certain labour disputes in the ‘national interest’. CUPE-Québec is warning that this measure will risk weakening the balance of power of workers, in favour of employers, allowing management to count on government intervention instead of taking bargaining seriously.
The second billboard about airport privatization highlights the following message: “By privatizing airports, Carney threatens to cause increased airfares.” The federal government wants to allow private investors to operate four major Canadian airports, including Montreal. CUPE-Québec fears this policy will lead to the prioritization of profit-seeking ahead of the interests of travelers, by increasing airport fees which could have an impact on the airfares charged by airlines.
The third billboard highlights the issue of pesticides with the following message: “With its Bill C-30, Carney is allowing the return of banned pesticides to your dinner plate.” CUPE-Québec condemns the proposed changes in Bill C-30 that would allow the federal government to authorize the use of certain pesticides, despite environmental risks that have been deemed unacceptable. For the union, this policy change represents a step backwards in public health and environmental protection.
The public is invited to visit www.scfp.qc.ca/carney/ to read more about the three issues highlighted by the campaign and to learn more about the federal government’s decisions. CUPE-Québec is mounting this campaign in full compliance with the applicable provisions of the Canada Elections Act.
