In 2015, police arrested 87 people, teargassed protestors and, punched Xavier Amodeo repeatedly while arresting him. Unsurprisingly, an internal police body decided against investigating the rough arrest and police actions. This year, 2016, again the police has teargassed and arrested protestors.  

There needs to be an independent investigation of the reaction of Montreal police to protestors. After years of pressure from people who had faced police violence and seen the impunity that resulted from the internal investigation process, the Parti Quebecois mandated that an independent investigation body be established in Quebec. It was supposed to be up and running by now, but it is still not operational. Therefore an independent investigation must be ordered by the Minister of Public Safety, Martin Coiteux.  

Click here to find his contact information and send him a letter or email demanding an independent investigation.  

Meanwhile we must not let the issues die. What were some of the reasons thousands of people came out in Montreal on International Workers Day. There have been drastic cuts to health care, child care, public services devastating the social safety net in Quebec under the Liberal government. People wanted to stand up against austerity and capitalism. People want an alternative.  

Another major issue was to launch to Quebec Federation of Labour’s campaign to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Quebec’s minimum wage increased by 20 cents on Sunday May 1, 2016, to $10.75 an hour for the  more than 260,000 Quebecers who earn minimum wage. It is not enough.  

Many of the petitions supporting the restoration of funding for public services are closed now but you can join the demand for 15+. This petition to raise the Quebec minimum wage has been tabled and will remain open till July 28, 2016.  

Sign it, circulate it, and let’s help build awareness of the campaign.