Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
National

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

The Canadian Press , 18 Oct, 2014 11:26 PM
  • Philippe Couillard Says He Won't Back Down On Financial Reforms Despite Protests
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.

MORE National ARTICLES

Chief to ask Crown if officers should face charges in Tina Fontaine probe

Chief to ask Crown if officers should face charges in Tina Fontaine probe
Winnipeg police Chief Devon Clunis said Friday he has received a report into the officers' actions on the day before Tina Fontaine vanished and it will be forwarded to a Crown attorney.

Chief to ask Crown if officers should face charges in Tina Fontaine probe

Prime minister's gone fishing for votes, in very particular voter ponds

Prime minister's gone fishing for votes, in very particular voter ponds
OTTAWA - Stephen Harper is fishing for voters, and he's going back to familiar ponds.

Prime minister's gone fishing for votes, in very particular voter ponds

Federal bill to expand anti-terror powers through tracking, source shield

Federal bill to expand anti-terror powers through tracking, source shield
OTTAWA - The Conservative government plans to amend the law governing the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to give the spy agency greater ability to track terrorists overseas.

Federal bill to expand anti-terror powers through tracking, source shield

Federal government restricts possible Beaufort Sea fisheries

Federal government restricts possible Beaufort Sea fisheries
The federal government has announced it won't allow any new commercial fisheries in the Beaufort Sea without further research.

Federal government restricts possible Beaufort Sea fisheries

More Canadian help coming on Ebola, Harper tells Obama

More Canadian help coming on Ebola, Harper tells Obama
WASHINGTON - Canada is about to announce new measures in the fight against Ebola, Prime Minister Stephen Harper told his U.S. counterpart Thursday amid increased fear over the spreading virus.

More Canadian help coming on Ebola, Harper tells Obama

Paradis says Canada spending $8M to help kids affected by fighting in Iraq

Paradis says Canada spending $8M to help kids affected by fighting in Iraq
OTTAWA - Canada is donating $8 million to a UNICEF effort to meet education and protection needs of Iraqi children.

Paradis says Canada spending $8M to help kids affected by fighting in Iraq