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Philippe Couillard Says He Won't Back Down On Financial Reforms Despite Protests

The Canadian Press , 18 Oct, 2014 11:26 PM

TROIS-RIVIERES, Que. - Quebec's premier says he won't back down from financial reforms aimed at balancing the province's books.

Philippe Couillard told party members gathered for a meeting today in Trois-Rivieres not to be distracted by those opposed to the changes adopted by his Liberal government.

The premier delivered the message as hundreds of union members demonstrated outside the convention centre against a plan to restructure the pension plans of municipal workers.

Couillard says returning to a balanced budget won't be easy but he says the "majority of Quebecers" understand the importance of the task.

The coming months will be a challenge for the Couillard government, with negotiations coming up for the labour deals involving 550,000 workers in the public and broader public sectors.

The trade union leading those talks is demanding increases of more than 4.5 per cent over three years.

But Martin Coiteux, the president of the Quebec Treasury Board, didn't rule out a wage freeze for 2015-16, the year the government has targeted to return to a zero deficit.

"Absolutely everyone will make an effort," Coiteux told reporters on Saturday.

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