Optional union dues: The Legault government should go further, says an MEI researcher
Montreal, October 30, 2025 – The provincial government should allow union members to withdraw individually from the portion of union dues used for political activities, says an MEI researcher in reaction to the tabling of Bill 3 earlier today.
“For too long, the big unions have used their members’ dues for activities other than defending workers’ rights,” explains Gabriel Giguère, Senior Policy Analyst at the MEI. “While making a portion of union dues optional is a good first step, it would be better for Quebec to allow each union member the right to refuse to finance campaigns that go against their values.”
Bill 3, tabled earlier today by Labour Minister Jean Boulet, allows union members to vote, at least once a year, to either opt out or enroll their association to pay so-called optional dues to finance union activities outside of their primary mission.
The bill also reinforces union transparency and democracy, notably requiring the holding of secret ballots, over a period of 24 hours, for certain key decisions such as a strike vote. Unions would also be required to disclose elected officers’ expenses and compensation.
This bill comes in the wake of a series of newspaper articles reporting apparent abuses by certain union officers in carrying out their duties.
“By putting a framework in place for the conduct of strike votes, for example, the government is protecting union members from the procedural abuses of certain unions,” says Mr. Giguère. “Whatever the big unions think of it, this bill is excellent news for Quebec workers, especially those who are unionized.”
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