Protest forces cancellation of Quebec labour minister's speech in Montreal

A speech by Quebec's labour minister to the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal was cancelled on Friday after more than 1,000 unionized workers gathered in protest over a controversial bill tabled by the minister last month. 

Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet was set to speak at the Plaza Centre-Ville, but the situation outside got out of hand, according to Montreal police, who say a hotel window was smashed and an officer was assaulted, but not injured.

Boulet left the event on recommendation of Quebec provincial police, before he had the chance to speak. 

In February, the minister tabled a bill that, if adopted, would give more power to the provincial government to limit the duration of strikes and lockouts. Bill 89 would also allow Quebec to step in to avoid disruption of services in schools and municipalities.

This drew the ire of many union organizations, nine of which organized the large workers' rally downtown on Friday afternoon. 

"First of all, it's important to stress that I fully support the right to demonstrate. However, it must be exercised with respect for public order, and without resorting to violence," read a statement sent from Boulet's office following the event. 

He added that the goal of Bill 89 is to give "greater consideration to the needs of the public in the event of a strike or lockout, particularly those of vulnerable people." 

Boulet explained that Quebec does not intend on taking away workers' right to strike.

But Caroline Senneville, head of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) union, sees it differently. 

"We think it's illegal and we're gonna contest this in front of the tribunals, but the thing is, when you do that, it takes time and damage will be done," she said.  

"The Supreme Court has been really clear: we have a right to form unions, we have a right to negotiate in good faith and we have the right to strike if we need to and what the government is doing right now, what the Quebec government is doing, is infringing on these rights." 

Senneville says Bill 89 could impact workers' leverage to improve their working conditions.

Michel Leblanc, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, says he's disappointed that the workers' actions resulted in the event being cancelled, although he says he supports their right to protest. 

"In 16 years, it's the first time we cancel an event because protesters decided to do whatever they want ... to stop an exchange with a minister on his intentions and current day issues," said Leblanc.