Montréal, 30 April 2025 —

The Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec–FIQ deplores the fact that Bill 101, An Act to improve certain labour laws, is attacking occupational health and safety mechanisms, particularly in the health and education sectors, which are predominantly made up of women.

The FIQ is asking the government to remove the harmful provisions in Bill 101, to protect prevention mechanisms that make a difference for all workers, including those in the public network. “We cannot reform the right to work without considering those who are keeping the health network afloat. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that these changes strengthen–and not weaken–the protections for these vital workers,” said Isabelle Groulx, FIQ Vice-President.

By exempting itself from the prevention obligations it imposes on other employers, the government is reneging on commitments that have been overdue for more than 40 years and that were adopted barely four years ago, concerning mechanisms that have proven their worth in the sectors covered by the law since the 1980s. This decision is all the more unacceptable given that the number of occupational injuries remains high in the health and education networks.

In 2023, the healthcare and social assistance sector accounted for 33.6% of all compensated work-related injuries in Québec, even though it represents only 13.6% of all jobs. In 2022, costs related to compensation for these injuries amounted to $244.8 million. Predominantly composed of women, this sector shows a worrying imbalance, reflecting demanding working conditions and a major exposure to professional risks, such as punches to the face, inappropriate comments and death threats.

“By stripping health and safety committees of their powers, sidelining workers’ representatives and leaving everything to employers, the government is seriously jeopardizing the health of healthcare professionals and making the inequalities we’ve been denouncing for years even worse,” says Ms. Groulx.

The bill stipulates that prevention rules will not be applied in the same way in the health and education networks, which are predominantly made up of women. The government holds the power to decide when and how measures will be implemented. “This choice is undermining the universality and effectiveness of prevention mechanisms in the health sector. The FIQ intends to submit a brief to show the minister the impacts of its bill, even though it requires urgent action,” concluded the vice-president.

About the FIQ

The FIQ represents over 80,000 nurses, licensed practical nurses, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists who work in healthcare institutions province wide. It is a feminist organization with an almost 90% female membership, dedicated to defending its members and the patients in the public health network.

For more information:

Philippe Desjardins
581 995-0762