Statistics Canada data on work conflicts in Quebec were false

The Federal Ministry of Employment. Similarly, Social Development (EDSC) confirms that its data on work conflicts, published by Statistics Canada this spring, were ultimately wrong.

The latter. In addition, largely disseminated since, suggested that the number of work stoppages had increased from 101 in 2022 to 691 in 2023, then to 759 in 2024, a historic record. However, Finally, for only the first two months of 2025, the organization counted a total of 378 work stoppages.

On this basis. Meanwhile, a study by the Montreal Economic Institute (IEDM), published in May, came to the conclusion that, since 2023, 91% of the work stoppages identified in Canada had occurred in the province of Quebec alone. However, A percentage, we could not be more spectacular, which has marked the spirits.

The Minister of Labor of Quebec, Jean Boulet Photo STEVENS LEBLANC

So much so that the Quebec Minister of Labor, Jean Boulet, had subsequently used it abundantly on his own to foam his bill 89, limiting the duration of strikes and lockouts in Quebec. Meanwhile, This bill of the Caquist government ended up being adopted.

Everything was false

However, all this was based on erroneous data, confirms employment and social development Canada (EDSC) today. “Data on work conflicts in Quebec for the period 2022-2025 that was published on the Statistical Canada web page were wrong. ” said one of statistics canada data work conflicts its spokespersons Nathalie Huneault last night.

For its part. and after verification, Statistics Canada confirmed to us that this data had “actually been produced by employment and social development Canada” and that at the request of this same ministry, they had been removed from its site at the start of the week.

In his response. the Directorate of the Federal Employment Ministry says he has undertaken since a work to verify the facts. “Employment. social development Canada works with the province of Quebec, which provides information, and with Statistics Canada to solve this problem,” added his media relationship department.

Pendulum on time

While waiting to see more clearly. it is impossible to continue to conclude that Quebec is champion of work conflicts in Canada, supports the Confederation of National Unions (CSN), thanks to which all this work of verification of the facts could be engaged.

François Enault, vice-president of the CSN, surrounded by leaders of three other union centers Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY

According to the power station, there were not 759 work conflicts in Quebec in 2024, but 208. Thus, although 2024 was punctuated by numerous work stoppages, it was not at all a record year.

For the first vice-president of the CSN, François Enault, it is important to set the record straight. “No, there is no explosion in the number of work conflicts. No, 91% of strikes in Canada do not take place in Quebec. statistics canada data work conflicts ”

The time has come according to him to return to the essentials: “Who is it to restrict the. right to strike?” Certainly not workers! We must wonder why it is important for employers’ lobbies to attack the right to strike by all means. even if it means putting their credibility in the balance with false data! ”