On March 1st, Zero Discrimination Day, one thing is essential: equality must be real and not symbolic. In the public health network, this directly concerns you. A system that provides less protection for care providers cannot claim to be fully fair.

However, with Act 28, the government changed the occupational health and safety regulations. And it is, among others, healthcare professionals who suffer the consequences.

In practical terms, this creates two levels of protection. In some sectors, prevention mechanisms are more comprehensive and structured.

But in health and education, the rules are less demanding.

This means less prevention before the situation deteriorates. And when it does deteriorate, it is healthcare professionals who pay the price: exhaustion, sick leave, increased exposure to physical and verbal abuse.

In short, you may be less protected than other workers in Quebec, even though your work environments are among the most demanding.

You are already experiencing this: overload, constant pressure, high psychosocial risks. Reducing prevention mechanisms in this context is not an administrative detail. These are real protections that are being weakened in an already fragile environment.

That is why, on February 23, with other labour organizations in the health and social services and education networks, we submitted a constitutional challenge before the Superior Court. We believe that some of the provisions in Act 28 lead to unequal treatment and violate the right to equality.

Discrimination is not limited to words and gestures. It can also be found in laws. When a legal framework protects a predominantly female sector less, it perpetuates injustice, which must be corrected.

A truly universal network starts by recognizing your essential role and by offering you full and complete protection. Protecting the population also means protecting those who provide their care.

Julie Bouchard
President of the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec–FIQ