Canada

In Quebec, there is no end to reforms in the health and social services sector, which have an adverse psychological impact on the workforce. For more than 20 years, health workers have had to constantly adapt to new standards, guidelines and structures, as determined by different governments.

The ensuing trade deficits and manufacturing job losses cast a shadow over this trade deal and led all three major candidates for the U.S. presidency in 2016 to reject the TPP and promise to “fix” NAFTA. Trump is following through on his promise, but that is not the whole story.

PSI affiliates in the US and Canada comment on the NAFTA renegotiations submitted to the United States Trade Representative (USTR). "We need a new approach to trade that puts the interests of working people and the environment first. We need an economy that puts a high priority on jobs, living standards, sustainability, and labor rights." Click on the image below to read it in full.

In what may be one of the largest settlements of its kind in Canada for employees who have suffered a workplace breach of Charter rights, CUPE education workers have reached an agreement on “remedy”, or financial compensation, with the Ontario government.

The issue of tax havens has been on the public stage for several years now. The phenomenon has become more widespread over the last twenty years. Following the recent financial crisis, western countries have made a commitment to tackle tax havens, but as could be expected, little concrete action has been taken.

Trade unions in Quebec are campaigning in favour of evidence-based decision-making. It is especially relevant in organisations that develop public health and social services policies.

The huge increase in the costs of prescription drugs in Quebec is putting pressure on the health care system. The implementation of a 100% public regime would allow the Québec government to have real negotiating power with the pharmaceutical industry and permit it to achieve considerable savings.

For several years, access to free, universal, public health services, has been under threat in Québec. Consecutive neo-liberal governments have surpassed one another in undermining a system that Canadians were once proud of.

For the health care workers represented by the Fédération Interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ), it is absolutely essential to work in the best conditions so as to provide safe, quality health care. As a health care workers’ union, the FIQ has therefore decided to work with its members to promote safe professional patient health care ratios in Québec.