Question Period Note: QUEBEC DAYCARE WORKERS GOING ON STRIKE

What is the Government of Canada’s reaction to Quebec daycares initiating strike action?

• The Government of Canada is aware that the Government of Quebec has been negotiating with unions representing child care personnel.

• As this question relates to ongoing negotiations between the Government of Quebec and union associations, the Government of Canada will not be commenting at this time.

• As part of the asymmetrical agreement between Canada and Quebec, the Government of Quebec has flexibility to use the contributions made under the agreement to fund further improvements to its early learning and child care system.

Current collective agreements representing early childhood educators and personnel in Quebec expired in May 2023. There are 27,971 unionized child care employees in Quebec as of March 31, 2024. 51% of centres de la petite enfance are unionized, and 97% of home daycare providers.

Working conditions are at the core of the labour dispute between Quebec. Demands mainly revolve around salary increases, work-life balance and ways to bring more recognition and better value to the profession.

The Fédération des intervenantes en petite enfance (FIPEQ), affiliated with the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), is the second largest association with 9,000 members in family daycares and 3,000 in centres de la petite enfance. It initiated strike action on November 11, 2024. Family-run centres with employees represented by the CSQ open half an hour late for the duration of the week of November 11. Failing any progress on negotiations, the following week (of November 18) will see the centres opened an hour later than usual, with additional increases of 30 minutes added to the delay on the third and fourth weeks. The union also has a mandate to stage two half-day strikes and one full-day walkout to be used at an opportune moment. Starting November 15, the opening of government daycares (“centres de la petite enfance”) employing FIPEQ members will be 30 minutes later than usual, but only on Fridays, with gradual increases added each week, with possible additional strike action on other week days. Other union associations have held votes as of October for strike mandates that could be used at a later time.

According to news articles, Quebec’s latest offer was for an increase in wages of 12.7% over five years, while recently the public sector received 17.4% over five years.

If pressed on collaboration with Quebec:

• Under the Constitution Act, 1867, provinces and territories have primary responsibility for education, including the design and delivery of early learning and child care programs and services.

• Federal, provincial, and territorial governments are working together to ensure families across the country have access to high-quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive early learning and child care.