The FIQ’s 13th Convention is an occasion to affirm that, more than ever before, the Federation, its union reps, affiliated unions and members must stay united and “unwavering in the face of tomorrow’s challenges.” Today, and for the years to come, the FIQ will wage all the battles necessary to guarantee dignified working conditions for healthcare professionals and to build a just and egalitarian society. Nothing can stop mobilized women who are well equipped and proactive. The FIQ will remain strong, against all odds, because its roots are solid and its feminist and progressive values deeply shared.

The convention was developed and organized with this in mind. The Convention is the supreme body of the Federation. Every four years, FIQ delegates meet to pause and reflect on current and future challenges and to adopt organizational orientations. They will guide the organization’s positions and actions in the coming years. It’s an important moment to democratically shape and consolidate union life.

Every convention takes place in a specific context. In 2025, it is marked by the deployment of Santé Québec as the sole employer for the 350,000 people working in the public health and social services network. In this context, there is no doubt that we must renew ourselves and review our ways of doing things in order to better coordinate our actions, whether they are carried out by the FIQ or by the affiliated unions.

Evolving in a society where discourse is becoming increasingly polarizing brings its share of challenges for union organizations like the FIQ, which represents more than 80,000 healthcare professionals, nearly 90% of whom are women. The resurgence of ideologies that suppress the rights of women and people from diverse backgrounds in particular is a reality that we must face. This undoubtedly shakes the FIQ to the core of its values. True to its statement of principles, the Federation remains an ally to all demands denouncing injustice and non-inclusive political positions and decisions.

And, to no one’s surprise, society is changing, and often at lightning speed! The increasing presence of artificial intelligence in our daily lives, for example, is welcomed by some as a step forward for humanity, while it is criticized by others because of the major challenges it poses for the world of work, particularly the healthcare network. It is also important to understand how artificial intelligence reproduces the social biases of historical discrimination, which exclude women and marginalized groups from the outset.