DECISION-MAKING BODIES
First General Council meeting of 2023

Tomorrow is the year’s first APTS General Council meeting. What’s on the agenda? Elections, contract talks to renew the collective agreement, political campaigning, mobilizing, extending professional practices, cultural diversity, and more. Follow us on Facebook for daily updates on what’s happening at the General Council.

COMMUNICATIONS
Fil@pts now accessible to people with visual impairment

Since our newsletter can be hard to read for members with visual impairment, the APTS has created a version of the Fil@pts that is compatible with screen-reader software. If you’d like to receive it, please send a request to info@aptsq.com.

This change reflects our organization’s commitment to inclusiveness and our desire to ensure that everyone has equal access to information. Your feedback in this matter is not only welcome – it’s essential!

ORGANIZATION OF WORK AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
Consultations on Québec's program for mental health disorders

The APTS is continuing to consult members who work directly or indirectly in the field of mental health about their conditions of practice. It is also undertaking an assessment of how the Québec program for mental disorders (PQPTM) is being implemented. Four regions have been targeted for this mini-round of consultations: Montréal (Nord-de-l'île-de-Montréal and the McGill University Health Centre - February 2), Chaudière-Appalaches (February 15), Estrie (February 22) and Mauricie-Centre-du-Québec (March 9).

The members concerned will receive an invitation from their local executive shortly, containing all the information they need to take part in these meetings.

BlueAPTS
The private sector on health care's
front lines: a new deal?

There’s no doubt about the central role of primary care. As the gateway to the health and social service system, it should in theory be able to meet 80% of Quebecers’ health and social service needs, and prevent health problems from developing or getting worse. The Legault government’s health-care reform (Plan santé) is now set on delivering primary care into the hands of family medicine groups, 75% of which are private. And the government would have us believe that this is an innovative solution. However, a look back at the last 50 years shows that there’s nothing new here and that the present-day history of primary care in Québec has been largely shaped by the private sector. Read all about it in BlueAPTS!

SOCIO-POLITICAL ACTION
Black History Month 2023

Every February for the past 30 years, the Black History Month Roundtable has organized activities allowing Quebecers to explore the cultural richness and diversity of Black communities in Québec, while paying tribute to individuals who have made distinguished contributions in various fields. The tradition continues this coming February with a number of events lined up for the 2023 program, and everyone is welcome to join in. Delegates to the APTS General Council meeting starting on January 24 will have the opportunity to hear columnist and media commentator Emilie Nicolas share her thoughts on how we can team up to fight racism in the workplace. A summary of her talk will also be featured in an upcoming issue of BlueAPTS. Stay tuned!

A campaign to expose and combat tax havens

Are you concerned about tax havens, but feel overwhelmed by the magnitude and complexity of the problem? The Collectif Échec aux paradis fiscaux, a group devoted to combatting tax havens, has launched a campaign to draw attention to the issue. The name of the campaign is “Démasquer, condamner, encaisser,” and it casts a spotlight on how tax havens benefit the many institutions and wealthy individuals whose interests they serve. Register now to attend the virtual launch on January 31-February 1. The group will be unveiling its key demands and discussing the themes of tax justice and tax fairness.

SOCIAL SECURITY
Lower contribution rates for the RREGOP

Every three years, the RREGOP pension committee on which the APTS sits mandates Retraite Québec to conduct an actuarial valuation of participants’ benefits. This valuation helps determine the contribution rate, in keeping with the RREGOP's funding policy.

The effective contribution rates for 2023, 2024 and 2025, based on data as at December 31, 2020, are as follows: 9.69%, 9.39% and 9.09%, respectively. For comparison, the prevailing rate in 2022 was 10.04%.

For more information, see the latest actuarial valuation on the Retraite Québec website (in French).

UNION LIFE
APTS hails election of Magali Picard as new president of the FTQ

As the convention of the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ) wrapped up, the APTS extended its congratulations to Magali Picard and Denis Bolduc on their election as president and general secretary, respectively. It also underscored the major contribution to Québec’s union movement made by outgoing FTQ president, Daniel Boyer.

“Magali Picard's career as an activist and union leader is very inspiring – in addition to her being both the first woman and the first Indigenous woman to head up the FTQ,” said APTS president Robert Comeau. “We’re very pleased to have the opportunity to work with her and the entire FTQ team in the battles to come, including the work of the Front commun. She can count on our full solidarity.”