Opposition parties and student unions renewed calls for paid internships in Quebec at a press conference on Wednesday.

Critics on youth and higher education from the Parti Québécois, Québec Solidaire and the Quebec Liberals, as well as the heads of the Union étudiante du Québec and the Fédération étudiante collégiale du Québec, reminded the Coalition Avenir Québec government of their commitment to pay public sector interns. 

In March, the National Assembly voted unanimously in favour of Pascal Bérubé’s motion to that effect. Bérubé, the Parti Québécois spokesperson on higher education, expressed disappointment at the province’s silence in the months following.

“The government said 'yes' to this motion and we legitimately expected, for the start of the school year, an announcement, something new, a real recognition. That hasn't happened yet.”

Representatives from both student unions maintained they want all internships in the province to be paid, particularly those approved by the government for professional training.

When questioned, Bérubé said the Parti Québécois was also in favour, though that falls outside the confines of his motion.

Madwa-Nika Cadet, the Liberal spokesperson for youth and employment, argued it makes sense to pay public sector interns as the province undergoes a labour shortage.

“What we do when we push them away from these programs, we create a situation where the labour shortage is even more important in the public sector in particular, where the population needs services.”

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