MTC QUÉBEC and the Health Crisis
“Je me Souviens”*, Is the moto of the province of Quebec. “I remember” is such an apt moto for our times. Quebec is a predominately French speaking province in Eastern Canada with some 8.5 million inhabitants. Louise Paré from the Movement of Christian Workers (MTC) of Quebec has written to us to share her reflections of the Pandemic in Quebec as Canada it enters its third day under a 12-hour curfew until at least the end of January 2021.
I would like to the MCW for its invitation to me to share with you the consequences for us members of the MTC Quebec, it was impossible to refuse this invitation, for me as it’s a way to be in communion with one another through the sharing of our experiences.
Firstly, although, each person, organisation, business, and society as a whole has experienced and continues to live this crisis, somewhat differently from one continent to another, the fact remains that we have all, women and men, been touched by this global health crisis, be we from the north or the south. Of course, in different contexts and with very different means. It goes without saying that this little virus, invisible to our eyes, has had considerable overall impact on the people, organisations, businesses and the whole of Quebec society.
We had the impression at the beginning, that this crisis was going to pass very quickly, up to the day when lockdown commenced.
It was, at the start, something, the extent of which no one, not even public health officials, could have predicted. Although many quote statistics, we have to admit that this very small bug has shaken the world as much as the established order.
As society, as a movement, we have been speaking for a long time about establishing a universal guaranteed minimum income, which would replace our social benefits system. With COVID-19, our two governments, Federal and Provincial, have had the courage and the determination to assure Health as a priority for ALL and thus deciding to put the economy of the Country and the
Province on hold. In so doing giving the population access to the ‘Canadian Emergency Response Benefit’ (CERB)**. This was introduced for the thousands of workers who lost their jobs on the first day of lockdown. Without this state help many would have died from hunger. There would have certainly been some serious social disorder. Surprisingly, we have noted that it is possible for our political leaders to take decisions and make the necessary choices that are needed for the collective well-being, when there is political will. It’s an important lesson for those who devalue political institutions. We need a State that fulfils its responsibilities to ALL and not one that is simply tied to the rules of the market. The fact is that there have been some good things done to help us, whilst leaving other matters resting in the political blind spot.
One thing that concerns me, I detest the expression “Social Distancing”. I think it’s better to talk about physical distancing. Because this does not prevent us from talking about solidarity with others in the context of everyone keeping a mutually protective distance. Despite the stress, the fear and the anxiety, there is a solidarity being lived through physical distancing for the collective well-being and common good. We must not forget that this crisis has brought to the fore all social inequalities that exist. Do we have the collective political courage to put an end to the dominant economic model of the market economy with its relentless drive for continual growth?
There is, at the heart of this passage in which we live, hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I dare to believe that the frantic desire of a return to normal, where the economy turns around, will not take us back to where we were before COVID-19. Let’s hope that when we emerge despite the difficulties and the losses (too many people have died alone), it will be better for all the population and allow us to live in a more inclusive world, more united, richer for all. That we dare to make considerable changes in order to be more focused towards the needs of individuals, the people, the COMMON GOOD, rather than excessive consumption aimed at a greater economic return.
I dare to believe that we will savour and taste the full richness of questioning and opting for different choices, not simply in the time of the pandemic, but with a view of making responsible ecological and durable choices for today and our future. There will be a lot of change in the world of work, the workplace, the hours, teleworking and transport.
I know that we must not kid ourselves, although not everything will return to the way it was before, the temptation will be strong to do everything to return to the same pace as before. It is our responsibility as people, as a movement, as society to continue to demand respect for our rights which have been far from being pursued during this pandemic. Quite the contrary! This pandemic has brought out how many people who are at the front of the queue who are the most “exploited” in our community. This pandemic will have as a positive benefit to oblige us to pose many questions and to question our way of living. Let’s hope that the world shall be more just for each woman and man, having Land, Roof, Work and dignified life.
Yours in Solidarity
Louise Paré MTC Québec.
**Equivalent to the UK Furlough Payment.
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Je_me_souviens
http://mmtc-infor.com/fr/noticias-2/caribe-norte-y-centroamerica/381-publication-d-option-ouvriere-de-decembre-2019-bulletin-d-information-du-mtc-quebec-2
