PRESS RELEASE – Minister’s absence at the SCT filing

The CSQ higher education federations are greatly concerned

 Montréal, December 19, 2022 – Concerned by the absence of Minister Pascale Déry at the Secrétariat du Conseil du Trésor (SCT) filing of the intersectoral government’s offers last week, the CSQ higher education federations wonder what place higher education holds in the Legault government, especially since this sector does not appear in the government’s priorities.

The presidents of the Fédération de l’enseignement collégial (FEC-CSQ), Youri Blanchet, of the Fédération du personnel de soutien de l’enseignement supérieur (FPSES-CSQ), Valérie Fontaine and of the Fédération du personnel professionnel des collèges (FPPC-CSQ), Éric Cyr, see this absence as a very bad signal sent to the college network.

High expectations

“The higher education sector felt cast aside by the Legault government during its first mandate, and we have high expectations for this second mandate, notably of the new minister, Pascale Déry. For this reason, we were very disappointed not to see her attend the SCT filing, unlike her education and health sectors’ minister colleagues, present at the press conference,” comments the President of the FEC-CSQ, Youri Blanchet.

A minister who needs to show her interest

The President of the FPSES-CSQ, Valérie Fontaine, says that the negotiations for the renewal of the personnel’s collective agreements are an important time and that the minister’s presence would have been appreciated. “This absence and the attitude of the Legault government as a whole concern us. The premier claims that education is his priority, but higher education isn’t even mentioned in the government’s priorities. That’s a great nonsense right there which seriously worries us.”

Important challenges that require the government’s support

The reaction is the same on the side of FPPC-CSQ, whose President, Éric Cyr, explains that the higher education sector is facing important challenges that, to be met, require unwavering support from the government, support that is not currently felt. “We alerted the government on multiple occasions over the past years to the serious issues we’re experiencing. Sadly, many problems continue and the intersectoral filing doesn’t offer concrete solutions. That’s why we count on Minister Pascale Déry to represent us with a strong voice before the premier and her colleagues. In that respect, her absence at the launch of the negotiations is concerning.”

The three federation presidents ask that the premier and the higher education minister quickly reassure them on the place that higher education really occupies in the government’s priorities.

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About the FEC-CSQ

 The Fédération de l’enseignement collégial (FEC-CSQ) is a group of 16 unions representing over 3000 CEGEP teachers from multiple Québec regions. Founded in 1968, the FEC-CSQ has always advocated for CEGEPs to have the means to offer students quality training, in preparation to the labour market or university, while contributing to the development of free and autonomous citizens. It is affiliated with the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ).

About the FPSES-CSQ

 The FPSES-CSQ represents close to 5000 members working in 13 institutions in the college sector, three in the university sector and five parapublic services organizations. It is affiliated with the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), which represents close to 215,000 members, including some 125,000 employees working in education.

About the FPPC-CSQ

 The Fédération du personnel professionnel des collèges (FPPC-CSQ) represents two thirds of the college network CEGEPs’ professional staff, which amounts to more than 1800 professionals disseminated in 35 unions. It exclusively includes CEGEP professional staff members.

Information

Claude Girard

Communications Advisor

Cell: 514 237-4432

Email: girard.claude@lacsq.org