Tensions with the FTQ: Minister Boulet avoids adding fuel to the fire
Posted November 26, 2025 11:35 am.
Labour Minister Jean Boulet avoided adding fuel to the fire on Wednesday, the day after a tumultuous appearance by the FTQ during special consultations on its bill on union governance.
The president of the FTQ, Magali Picard, had notably stated that the minister was “innocent or was playing innocent” and that he seemed to be a “slow learner” because he still did not understand, after seven years in office, how unions function.
“That’s his opinion,” replied the Minister of Labour when questioned about it on Wednesday morning.
He tried to remain silent in the aftermath of the heated exchanges. “I don’t intend to judge his words or his behavior. Is it healthy for someone to express themselves in this way and behave like you saw yesterday in a democratic process?”
Before the FTQ’s appearance before the parliamentary committee, the minister had tabled a motion in the National Assembly, blaming Picard for having spoken of “paralyzing Quebec”, in a tense context between the CAQ government and all the unions.
Minister Boulet then chose to congratulate CSQ President Éric Gingras, who, before the same committee, proposed amending the bill regarding the financial reporting requirements for unions. However, the FTQ had already proposed a similar amendment, namely basing financial reporting requirements not on the number of union members, but on its revenues.
Special consultations on the draft law on union governance are to continue on Wednesday and Thursday.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
