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jean boulet

The minimum hourly wage in Quebec, which currently sits at $15.25, will increase by $0.50 on May 1, 2024, to $15.75.

The announcement was made by Quebec's Labour Minister Jean Boulet, who said that the decision was based on economic uncertainties within the retail and restaurant sectors, per CTV News.

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Following a blowout victory in the Quebec election thanks, in part, to the province's first-past-the-post electoral system (which allowed the CAQ to claim 72% of National Assembly seats with 41% of the vote), François Legault has unveiled the next Quebec cabinet.

Jean Boulet notably returns as labour minister following his outcry-inducing claim in September that "80% of immigrants go to Montreal, do not work, do not speak French or do not adhere to the values of Quebec society."

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François Legault is doing damage control after a fresh round of controversial comments by his immigration minister, Jean Boulet. Quebec's premier went on record to disagree with Boulet's claim that "80% of immigrants go to Montreal, do not work, do not speak French or do not adhere to the values of Quebec society." Legault said, if re-elected, he'll find someone else to fill the role.

"I think he just disqualified himself [from the position]," the premier told TVA on Wednesday, visibly cringing as Boulet's comments were repeated on-air.

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Quebec's immigration minister has backtracked on comments that a majority of immigrants in the province have a poor work ethic and aren't well-integrated into society. At a debate in Mauricie last week, Jean Boulet asserted, "80% of immigrants go to Montreal, do not work, do not speak French or do not adhere to the values of Quebec society." He apologized on Wednesday, following widespread backlash, saying he misrepresented what he actually thinks about immigrants.

"I'm sorry for expressing my thoughts poorly. The circulating clip does not reflect what I think. We must continue to focus on the reception, francization and integration of immigrants, who are an asset to Quebec," Boulet tweeted.

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The second of three federal charter flights carrying Ukrainians fleeing the war with Russia has arrived in Canada.

306 Ukrainians disembarked in Montreal on Sunday. Foreign Affairs Minister and MP for Ahuntsic-Cartierville Mélanie Joly and Quebec Minister of Labour Jean Boulet were at the airport to greet them.

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On May 1, the lowest-wage earners in the province got a slight pay bump. The Quebec minimum wage increased by 75 cents from $13.50 to $14.25 per hour. Labour Minister Jean Boulet says the increase will boost the purchasing power of the province's "most vulnerable workers." But Québec solidaire is rejecting the notion that the increase will do much to benefit residents.

The party is instead calling for an $18-per-hour minimum wage. It's also pushing back against the proposed $15 minimum wage.

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As the war in Ukraine continues, the international community is scrambling to help the over two million Ukrainian refugees fleeing their homes and their country. At this point, we've all seen the photos and footage coming out of Eastern Europe, and we're all aware of the sanctions Canada and other countries have enforced against Russia — but what's happening here at home? How is Montreal helping in this crisis?

By preparing for refugees, that's how. According to an Instagram post from Mayor Valérie Plante on March 8, City Hall is planning for the arrival of people fleeing the conflict.

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A labour dispute at the Olymel pork plant in Vallée-Jonction has forced pigs to live in what the Éleveurs de porcs du Québec, an organization of breeders, has called "deplorable conditions." Should the labour dispute continue, the organization warns "thousands" of pigs could be euthanized.

"At the end of last week, nearly 130,000 pigs had to be put on hold. Considering that a pig can provide around 600 meals, the potential for waste is astronomical," David Duval, president of Éleveurs de porcs du Québec, said in a press release.

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The Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) and the Quebec government have declared a new mask rule for people who work outside in extreme heat.

When there's an Environment Canada heat warning, it won't be mandatory to wear a mask if you're working outside.

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