Bill 61: legislation designed to silence the public

On the premise of mitigating the effects of COVID-19 and helping restart Quebec’s economy, the government is attempting to give itself exceptional powers to expedite approximately 200 infrastructure projects (202 at present) through Bill 61.

One worrisome aspect of the bill is that it makes the Act respecting land use planning and development (LAU) unenforceable. Municipalities will be allowed to impose these projects on residents without hearing what they have to say. Public consultation processes and referendum-based approval processes are key mechanisms used by farmers and the UPA to speak up for agricultural interests.

Furthermore, the government is using this bill to justify expropriations without the affected people being able to oppose or access the tools to which it would be entitled under normal circumstances.

To read Bill 61 and to see the affected projects located within the Federation’s territory, please click here.

Outaouais news

Your union agent is back

On May 25, Suzanne Laplante returned to her duties of addressing syndicate needs in the Outaouais region. The office will be open (remotely) all summer!

Collectif régional en formation agricole de l’Outaouais (CRFAO)

Since January, Suzanne Laplante has also been in the role of agricultural training officer for the Outaouais region. She is assisted by Mireille Larivière of the Federation’s agricultural employment centre (CEA). Our team, along with the CRFAO board of directors, is preparing the fall 2020 training program to meet the needs of Outaouais farmers. Current realities will be taken into account in the training, with a number of sessions being offered remotely.

If you have any questions or agricultural training needs pertaining to the Outaouais region, don’t hesitate to contact Suzanne directly by phone at 819-923-4947 or by email at slaplante@upa.qc.ca.

Access the CRFAO website here

Le Trait d'Union

The cycle of intimate partner violence

Protège-toi, écoute ta voix campaign (Protect yourself, listen to your voice)

This week, we present the second of five images in our awareness campaign about healthy relationships. It depicts the cycle of intimate partner violence as a repeating cycle in which the victim feels as if they are caught on a treadmill.

Fortunately, it is always possible—at any of these stages—to ask for help by reaching out to a loved one, the SOS violence conjugale organization, a regional women’s centre, or a rural social worker. No matter how intense or frequent the violence is, there is a way out.

Video of the week

In this 11th weekly video, Écoute agricole des Laurentides also deals with the cycle of violence.

View the video