Bills are being passed one after another, adding to other measures dictated by the same logic: to weaken our democratic institutions and silence critical voices capable of expressing legitimate disagreements and defending the rights of all, including the most disadvantaged, marginalized, and discriminated-against minorities. Marking an authoritarian and demagogic shift, these policies, often adopted under duress, are destroying the foundations of our democracy to serve the interests of economic elites.<\/p>\n
Anti-social and anti-union laws<\/strong><\/p>\n Bill 14 (formerly Bill 89) and the announced reform of the union system (Bill 3) not only attack the rights of workers across Quebec, but also reflect a worrying trend of undermining the mechanisms that protect our democracy. This is the worst attack ever launched by a government against the union movement.<\/p>\n With Bill 1, the Constitution Act, 2025 on Quebec, tabled on October 9, 2025, the CAQ government threatens to dismantle Quebec\u2019s entire system of human rights protection, just as the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms celebrates its 50th anniversary. Developed behind closed doors, without any debate or consultation, this bill is nothing like a constitution. Demonstrating a poorly disguised authoritarianism, it risks weakening the powers of civil society. Thus, the legal tools for defending our rights and freedoms, such as the Charter and the possibility of challenging laws in court, are being undermined. By instrumentalizing \u201cparliamentary sovereignty\u201d and \u201cQuebec values,\u201d Bill 1 is creating a dangerous drift toward identity politics, the likes of which haven\u2019t been seen since Duplessis.<\/p>\n In a statement published on November 13, the Quebec Bar Association asserts that these bills “contain provisions that deviate significantly from the values \u200b\u200band traditions of Quebec society in favour of strengthening the power of the State,” and thus fears an “erosion of the rule of law in Quebec.”<\/p>\n A dangerous drift with Trumpist overtones<\/strong><\/p>\n Faced with the rise of the far right and authoritarian practices of power around the world, the very foundations of our democratic systems are threatened. In Quebec, as elsewhere, rights we thought were guaranteed are being undermined by political decisions.<\/p>\n Driven by profiteering and disregard for science, the elimination of hundreds of public sector jobs and the merging of institutions prevent us from taking effective action to protect our ecosystems and the common good. This facilitates the approval of large industrial projects while simultaneously limiting the possibility of environmental and public health oversight.<\/p>\n Fran\u00e7ois Legault’s recent declaration, in response to Donald Trump’s call, positioning Quebec as a major player in the military industry is troubling and represents a dangerous shift for our society and the planet. This is all the more concerning given that this militarization of the economy is coupled with rhetoric and decisions that oppose immigration and the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.<\/p>\n Lower immigration thresholds, the cancellation of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), and the erosion of asylum seekers’ rights clearly demonstrate the current trajectory of the CAQ government. While Quebec restricts access to its territory in the name of utilitarian logic, it simultaneously invests in the military industry, profiting from conflicts and the climate crisis that impoverish populations and force them to flee.<\/p>\n Today, the genocide in Gaza is a stark symbol of the toxic consequences of complacency towards a racist and totalitarian government driven by colonial objectives: a world dominated by fear, militarization, manipulation, and contempt for international law. Despite UN condemnations, it is shameful that Quebec is strengthening its diplomatic and economic ties with Israel and refusing to grant RAMQ (Quebec Health Insurance Plan) benefits to families evacuated from Gaza, even though numerous genocide experts have acknowledged that a genocide is being committed against the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n On November 29, on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, let us recognize that an attack on the rights of some is an attack on the rights of all.<\/p>\n To defend and become a united, just and democratic society<\/strong><\/p>\n More and more Quebecers are struggling to make ends meet. Everywhere, the housing and homelessness crisis has reached alarming proportions. The situation is hitting Indigenous peoples even harder. At the same time, as the planet reaches a tipping point, the CAQ is rolling back environmental legislation and regulations. Despite the urgency of the problems that should concern us all, the government is diverting attention from its own failures by seeking scapegoats, such as migrants and immigrants and religious minorities. Instead of addressing the root causes of social problems, it is attacking and cutting funding to groups working to improve society.<\/p>\n We are committed to a Quebec that chooses solidarity over exclusion, respect over repression, dignity over fear, and social justice over the concentration of wealth in the hands of a privileged few. The Quebec we envision is rooted in the values \u200b\u200bof solidarity, equity, and social justice, and will need to listen to all voices, in their beautiful diversity, and to respect the rebellious, critical, and free-thinking dissent that has long shaped Quebec’s image.<\/p>\n On November 29, we will be in the streets to protect the vision of the Quebec society we want: a more just, more egalitarian, and more inclusive society.<\/p>\n Authors of the declaration:<\/p>\n Zahia El-Masri, Travailleuses et travailleurs pour la Palestine<\/a><\/p>\n Laurence Gu\u00e9nette, Ligue des droits et libert\u00e9s<\/a><\/p>\n Yasmina Moudda, Alternatives<\/a><\/p>\n Am\u00e9lie Nguyen, Centre international de solidarit\u00e9 ouvri\u00e8re (CISO)<\/a><\/p>\n Amel Zaazaa, Observatoire pour la justice migrante<\/a><\/p>\n They co-sign this text with Bertrand Guibord, Conseil central du Montr\u00e9al m\u00e9tropolitain\u2500CSN<\/a><\/span>, Marc-\u00c9douard Joubert,Conseil r\u00e9gional FTQ Montr\u00e9al m\u00e9tropolitain<\/a><\/span>, Amir Khadir, former Qu\u00e9bec solidaire MNA<\/a>, Roger Rashi, activist and Patrizia Vinci, feminist and community activist.<\/p>\n Since last Sunday, this text has received nearly 800 endorsements, including more than 200 from groups and organizations within Quebec’s civil society. Among the signatory groups are: \u00a0Table de concertation des organismes au service des personnes r\u00e9fugi\u00e9es et immigrantes (TCRI)<\/a>, Association qu\u00e9b\u00e9coise des organismes de coop\u00e9ration internationale (AQOCI)<\/a>, R\u00e9seau qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois de l\u2019action communautaire autonome (RQ-ACA)<\/a>, R\u00e9seau d\u2019aide aux personnes seules et itin\u00e9rantes de Montr\u00e9al (RAPSIM)<\/a>, Regroupement des femmes de la C\u00f4te-Nord<\/a>, Regroupement intersectoriel des organismes communautaires de Montr\u00e9al (RIOCM)<\/a>, R\u00e9seau qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois d\u2019action pour la sant\u00e9 des femmes (RQASF)<\/a>, Front d’action populaire en r\u00e9am\u00e9nagement urbain (FRAPRU)<\/a>, Regroupement des comit\u00e9s logement et associations de locataires du Qu\u00e9bec (RCLALQ)<\/a>, Table de regroupements provinciaux d\u2019organismes communautaires et b\u00e9n\u00e9voles (TRPOCB)<\/a>, R\u00e9seau qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois des groupes \u00e9cologistes (RQGE)<\/a>, Association qu\u00e9b\u00e9coise de lutte contre la pollution atmosph\u00e9rique (AQLPA)<\/a>, Grande mobilisation pour les arts au Qu\u00e9bec (GMAC)<\/a>, Centre de formation populaire (CFP)<\/a>, Au bas de l\u2019\u00e9chelle<\/a>, Table nationale des corporations de d\u00e9veloppement communautaire (TNCDC)<\/a>, F\u00e9d\u00e9ration des femmes du Qu\u00e9bec (FFQ)<\/a>, \u2019R des centres de femmes du Qu\u00e9bec<\/a>, Regroupement des ressources alternatives en sant\u00e9 mentale du Qu\u00e9bec<\/a>, Carrefour d’\u00e9ducation populaire de Pointe-Saint-Charles<\/a>, Immigrant Workers Center (IWC-CTI)<\/a>, Club Ami<\/a>, M\u00e8res au front<\/a>, R\u00e9seau Demain le Qu\u00e9bec<\/a>, Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM)<\/a>, Revue Libert\u00e9<\/a>, Voix juives ind\u00e9pendantes (p\u00f4le francophone<\/a> et section Montr\u00e9al<\/a>), Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration des syndicats nationaux (CSN)<\/a>, F\u00e9d\u00e9ration des syndicats d\u2019action collective-CSQ<\/a>, and many others.<\/span><\/p>\n