In an interview on program 24|60 on ICI RDI, Ms Picard said she did not appreciate Mr Legault’s leadership.
“I find it an extremely arrogant government. Mr. Legault manages Quebec as if he had the entire population with him. However, 59% of the population did not vote for this government. »
— A quote from Magali Picard, President of the FTQ
The new president of the FTQ continues her momentum and believes this is a reason to continue the fight for proportional representation in Quebec and to review the electoral system. That’s important, she stressed.
Ms. Picard believes that everyone thirsts for a new culture, for a new approach to politics. He [M. Legault] will have to face this demand, which will be constant, she assured.
Ms Picard briefly addressed Sophie Brochu’s announced departure, noting that the issue was discussed at the FTQ conference, which concluded on Thursday.
People want to know what happened. We want an investigation into Ms Brochu’s departure from Hydro-Québec, she said.
Magali Picard at the top of the FTQ
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Magali Picard at the top of the FTQ. 9-minute audio content, ICI Premiere broadcast. listen to audio.
Duration of 9 minutes08:42
Still on a political level, Ms Picard would like the FTQ to keep its distance from the parties without excluding presence in political battles.
I have no intention of forming an alliance with any political party, I do not wish to be an offshoot of any party. I want to work differently. I want the FTQ to be present in each of the battles, but for us to be able to welcome a bill that we agree with. She specifies that the FTQ could also express an opinion against a draft law with which she does not agree.
The first woman and first Aboriginal to chair the FTQ
Magali Picard on Thursday officially became the first woman and the first Aboriginal woman to chair Quebec’s largest trade union center.
She was elected unopposed and the 1,200 delegates at headquarters gave her a long ovation; some have spoken of a historic moment for the FTQ.
The proud Wendat from Wendake said in an interview that despite having twenty years of activism behind her, she brought new energy to the top of the headquarters with more than 600,000 members.
A first woman and first Aboriginal to lead the FTQ. Magali Picard, President of the FTQ, tells us about her priorities.
How will his leadership differ from the previous one?
I really want to infuse a new approach. What I would like is to make the FTQ accessible. I want to bring together not only FTQ activists, but all of Quebec’s working class, she stressed.
Relations with other unions
When it comes to relations with other unions, we must rely on the FTQ’s tradition of openness to all – which is not the case for all unions.
Within the FTQ we have a very inspiring unit. We have no choice but to all work together. The FTQ will certainly have discussions with the FIQ [Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé, qui représente les infirmières], with the whole common front. We have to join forces, which are immense, she specifies.
Magali Picard at the time of the announcement of her appointment, accompanied by outgoing FTQ President Daniel Boyer
Photo: The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes
She quickly becomes passionate when told about the minimum wage, which will drop from $14.25 an hour to $15.25 an hour on May 1st. For some time, the FTQ has been campaigning for at least $18 an hour, a threshold it has wanted to revise from the start depending on inflationary and economic contexts.
These are often jobs that are occupied by women. How are we going to make it clear to this administration that we see their game? That’s enough! May he respect the poorest in Quebec! We will fight for it until we win. It’s not normal that two people working for minimum wage have to go to a food bank.