Bill 89: Jean Boulet says he is shaken; Magali Picard denies intimidation

Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet says he is shaken and has “feelings of fear from those around him” following comments made by FTQ President Magali Picard about his bill limiting the right to strike.

In an interview on 98.5 FM radio Thursday morning, the FTQ president was asked by the host if she was going to “hound” ministers to voice her opposition to the bill. She replied, “Yes, and I encourage that.”

However, she clarified that there was no question of going to the ministers’ personal residences.

In an interview with The Canadian Press afterward, Picard explained that the expression “track” referred to a union strategy often deployed, namely organizing demonstrations, a sort of “welcome committee” during the trips of the ministers concerned.

“Workers need to make themselves heard,” she assures, “but it will be done intelligently,” without intimidation.

Earlier Thursday, Minister Boulet said he was affected and shaken by the fact that “there was talk of tracking down the minister.”

“Publicly calling for violence and intimidation, I’ve never seen that. I’m shaken; it certainly affects me,” said Boulet.

“I feel feelings of fear from people who may be around my work team or close to me,” he added.

Picard rejected any accusation of incitement to violence or intimidation. “Our members have never been asked to use violence or intimidation,” she exclaimed.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews