Hundreds of Quebecers, including unions, anti-poverty activists and students, gathered in Montreal to call for a $15 hourly minimum wage in the province.
The message was clear: protesters argue Quebec’s $10.75 minimum wage is borderline poverty and it needs to change.
“It’s a question of respect for the workers,” said Dominique Daigneault, spokesperson for the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN).
“To recognize what they’re worth and to recognize that a worker has a right to live above the poverty level when he or she are working full time.”
For those like Mathieu Proulx, who is a maintenance worker at the Old Port, the fight is a worthy cause.
“The cost of living is getting always more expensive,” he said.
“By raising the salaries, people will have more money to pay their rent, buy things and have savings.”
Proulx and his colleagues from the Old Port have been on strike since May.
READ MORE: Old Port of Montreal union looks to raise minimum wage to $15 in Quebec
According to them, 45 per cent of employees work for minimum wage.
Meanwhile, organizers of the rally said there are around 700,000 people across the province who also work for $10.75.
Something which, they said, should not be acceptable.
“It’s not normal that even if you have a great, full-time job, you have to live in poverty – it’s not normal,” said Marie-Claude Tremblay, spokesperson for the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ).
Those who have opposed the idea argue that the increase would create job losses.
They believe some businesses may not be able to afford the increase and in turn, will have to let some employees go.
However, some protesters say that’s simple untrue.
READ MORE: A look at minimum wages across Canada
“People are going to have more money are going to spend more, so basically this money’s going to come back into the local economy,” said Proulx.
Quebec’s finance minister has publicly stated that the province’s minimum wage is appropriate, while Quebec premier, Phillippe Couillard seemed more open, saying he would consider holding a debate on the subject.
Protesters say politicians need to listen up.
“If politicians are there to answer to the population needs – this is one important population need,” said Daigneault.
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