Quebec Justice Minister, Simon Jolin-Barrette, has publicly denounced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his lack of sensitivity towards the province’s domestic workers. In a recent interview with CTV News, Jolin-Barrette expressed his disappointment with Trudeau’s comments regarding the federal government’s decision to not intervene in Quebec’s controversial “maid program.”
Trudeau had previously stated that the federal government would not interfere with Quebec’s program, which allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers as domestic help without having to go through the usual immigration process. This decision has been met with criticism and calls for change from various advocacy groups, who argue that the program exploits vulnerable workers and perpetuates systemic racism.
Jolin-Barrette, who is also the minister responsible for immigration, strongly disagrees with Trudeau’s stance. He believes that the federal government has a responsibility to ensure the protection and fair treatment of all workers, regardless of their immigration status.
In his interview, Jolin-Barrette stated, “I find it very unfortunate that the Prime Minister does not seem to understand the gravity of the situation. These workers are often in vulnerable positions and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”
He also pointed out that the Quebec government has taken steps to improve the program, such as increasing the minimum wage for domestic workers and implementing stricter regulations for employers. However, he believes that more needs to be done and that the federal government should be working with Quebec to find a solution.
Jolin-Barrette’s comments come after a recent report by the Canadian Council for Refugees, which found that the majority of domestic workers in Quebec are women of color who face exploitation and abuse in their workplaces.
Trudeau has yet to respond to Jolin-Barrette’s criticism, but the issue is likely to continue to be a point of contention between the federal and provincial governments. As the debate over the “maid program” continues, it is clear that the treatment of domestic workers in Quebec is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and action.
