Political Representation in 2023

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CQSU is committed to making the voice of the university sector heard at every opportunity and at different political levels, reflecting our determination to defend the interests of people working in academia. In addition to our work in support of our member university sections, the various congresses of 2023 were decisive in making our voices heard on behalf of our members!

Participation in major events:

  1. FTQ (Fédération des Travailleurs du Québec) Congress, January 2023
  2. PSAC (Public Service Alliance of Canada) National Health and Safety Conference, January 2023
  3. Participation in the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Technology, May 2023
  4. PSAC-Québec Convention, June 2023
  5. Writing of an open letter in La Presse, with the TPU (Table des Partenaires Universitaires), published in November 2023

Political positioning:

  1. For massive refinancing of the Canadian government’s graduate and post-doctoral grants. These grants have hardly been increased enough in the past few decades, with the result that today, highly educated people conducting research that benefits society as a whole receive less than the legal minimum hourly wage!
  2. Against the considerable increase in tuition fees for non-Quebec students. This measure was announced without any consultation with university stakeholders, which raises concerns for our members, the attractiveness of the province and the impact on university funding.
  3. Against unpaid internships and practicums. We firmly defend the right of all workers to fair remuneration for the work they do!
  4. For protecting the status of post-docs as highly qualified personnel. We have advocated at various political levels for the recognition and enhancement of the status of post-docs, highlighting their essential contribution to research and innovation.
  5. For better representation of the university sector in PSAC decision-making bodies. We have lobbied at various levels for more equitable representation of our university sector members within the PSAC, to ensure that our voices are heard and taken into account in decision-making processes.

You will find more details at this page.

Image illustrating the open letter in La Presse, against the considerable increase in tuition fees, published in November 2023.
Sébastien Paquette (ASSEP) defending the resolution to increase CQSU funding at the PSAC-Québec convention, May 2023
Vincent Gomez (STEP) defending the resolution to protect post-doctoral status at the PSAC-Québec convention, May 2023
Jeanne Joachim (ASSEP) defending the resolution to protect post-doctoral status at the PSAC-Québec convention, May 2023
Sébastien Paquette (ASSEP) testifies before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Technology, May 2023, in support of increased post-doctoral fellowships funding.
Cynthia Mbuya-Bienge (STEP) testifies before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Technology, May 2023, in support of increased graduate studies scholarships.
Jeanne Joachim (ASSEP) defending the resolution to protect post-doctoral status at the FTQ convention, January 2023

Our political commitment in 2023 is a testament to our determination to advance the rights and interests of people working in academia!

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