Régine Laurent prizes | Members honoured for their engagement

Since 2017, at every convention the FIQ awards the Régine Laurent prizes, which highlight individual and collective union engagement.  The delegation selected the winners at the convention, held from June 2 to 6, 2025.

Individual prize

The individual prize is awarded to a member who stands out for their exceptional union engagement.

Winner: Annie Fournier, Syndicat des professionnelles en soins de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (SPSESTIM)

An exceptional nurse working the evening shift in the emergency department at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital (HMR), an inspiring union representative and a model of resilience, Annie Fournier won the Régine Laurent Individual prize on June 6.

Rose-Hélène Tibério Fontaine, a representative of the FIQ-SPSESTIM, who accepted the award on her behalf, described her as a “true mother bear.” Annie Fournier has always been that strong, caring voice that ensures no one is left behind. Throughout her career, she has embodied the essence of nursing advocacy and championed patient rights, equity, safety and dignity in care.

Annie Fournier played a key role in the fight against mandatory overtime (MOT), taking part in sit-ins and demonstrations, giving public testimonials, and even delivering her message to thousands of people on the set of Tout le monde en parle. Through her courage, she crystallized the discontent of a network running out of steam, but above all, she sowed the seeds of hope for real change.

Congratulations!

Collective prize

The collective prize is awarded to a group of members or union reps who stand out for their collective involvement or advocacy.

Winner:  The ER team, Hôpital de Cowansville, Syndicat des professionnelles en soins des Cantons-de-l’Est

“Persevering and determined” is how SPSCE representative Lucie Landry described the members of the Cowansville Hospital emergency team who have been fighting for four years to improve their working conditions and the care conditions for their patients.

Media appearances, meetings with elected officials, complaints to management, testimonials at press conferences, work committees, and a complaint to the CNESST— healthcare professionals have taken numerous actions to denounce MOT and fatigue. A priority for the union and the Federation, which have devoted considerable resources to the issue, the case is now before the Administrative Labour Tribunal, where it is hoped that it will set a precedent for the recognition of fatigue among members and its management by the employer.

Ultimately, the team hopes to see the implementation of safe ratios and the establishment of a maximum number of hours per work day and work week to put an end to MOT, making this a promising case throughout Quebec.