You're so right, Mr. Boulerice. Back then in 2007 and 2008 at Journal de Québec, the employer was using workers outside the establishment, but the wire from their computer was entering the building to let them perform the duties of the locked-out workers, of whom I was one. As a result, we had a 16-month conflict. Had the employer not had that option, I'm convinced that the dispute would have been much shorter and would probably have lasted only a few weeks.
It's therefore important to consider new work realities in 2024 in an effort to properly enforce a law like this one. Just cross the river to Gatineau, where over 200 workers from the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which is affiliated with the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec, are currently locked out. These individuals work mainly in a call centre for Videotron, a subsidiary of Quebecor, the same employer that locked out the Journal de Québec workers. If the concept of “establishment” means a building made of bricks and stones, that employer can use people in Africa, Egypt, Europe or South America to perform the duties of workers who are locked out. So it's crucial that this reality be considered.
In your opening statement, Mr. Boulerice, you talked about the current minority government situation. That's why I emphasized on two or three occasions in my opening remarks how important it is that this bill be passed in the current Parliament.