Seven unions and community groups are urging the new Quebec government to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, even though during the campaign, the CAQ said it was against the idea.
“We had some research from some years ago from the IRIS (Institut de recherche et d’informations socio-économiques) that shows we need $15 an hour to live properly,” explained Mélanie Gauvin, a spokesperson for Front de défense des non-syndicées.
READ MORE: Independent businesses, lobby groups express concern over Quebec’s minimum wage hike
On Monday morning, the coalition for the 5-10-15 campaign called for a minimum of five days’ notice for work schedules, 10 sick days a year and $15 an hour minimum wage. It said it thinks the incoming premier, François Legault, will be open to a meeting because its proposal is good for the Quebec economy.
Representatives of the coalition said requiring companies to pay their workers a living wage will help the labour shortage.
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“If you want to be able to assure a certain stability, pay your people right and they’ll stay,” said Ann Gingras, president of CSN (Centrale des syndicats du Québec).
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During the election campaign, the Parti Québécois and Québec Solidaire supported raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, but the CAQ and the Liberals were not in favour of it.
READ MORE: Parti Québécois and Québec Solidaire want to boost minimum wage to $15 per hour
The coalition also added that it is part of an international movement.
“We all know about the fight in the United States for the $15 from people working in restaurants, fast food,” Gauvin said.
WATCH: Alberta’s new $15 minimum wage the highest in Canada
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