The federation is one of the largest in Quebec, representing nine unions and about 43,000 teachers in the province.

About 65 per cent of Quebecers and 41 per cent of Canadians in the rest of the country say they support the Quebec government's proposal.

After a crushing defeat, the remaining 29 members of the Quebec Liberal Party will now find themselves on the other side of the National Assembly after they were sworn in as the official Opposition.