Prime Minister François Legault wants to eliminate “eventually” the bonuses granted to the directors and employees of state corporations such as the SAQ and Loto-Québec, which the parliamentary leader of Québec solidaire, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, considers “indecent”.
• Read also: The rain of bonuses continues at the SAQ and at Loto-Québec
• Read also: Charles Emond’s $6.3M compensation is ‘decent’
“In certain cases of state corporations, I would prefer that we eventually eliminate the bonuses,” said the head caquist on Wednesday, answering the Blue Room to a question from his supportive vis-à-vis.
However, these bonuses being the subject of contractual clauses, “we cannot, overnight, put that in the trash,” recalled Mr. Legault.
At the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ), 600 employees will once again share “around $9 million” in bonuses this year, the CEO of the state-owned company, Catherine Dagenais, confirmed on Tuesday during the study of budget appropriations.
Managers and employees of Loto-Québec will receive additional amounts totaling $4 to $5 million.
“These bonuses are an insult to families who have trouble getting to the end of the month,” denounced Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
The co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire finds it “indecent” that in the midst of a “historic crisis of inflation”, we are “breaking the champagne” in certain state corporations.
“There are some who are not embarrassed”, he denounced in a press briefing.
“On the issue of bonuses, this year […] I would have really kept myself a little embarrassed, ”repeated for her part the liberal leader Dominique Anglade.
An exception for the CDPQ?
In the House, Mr. Nadeau-Dubois pointed out that at the Caisse de depot et placement du Québec, the CEO, Charles Emond, alone earns “more money” (a record compensation of $6.3 million l last year) than all the members of the Council of Ministers. “It must stop,” said the MP for Gouin, calling out to the Prime Minister.
As for the Caisse de depot, Mr. Legault finds it normal that compensation “comparable” to that granted in the past is offered to its most senior executive. This is the price to pay “to have a quality leader”, he suggested, recalling that the returns for the woolen stockings of Quebecers had been there.
PQ parliamentary leader Martin Ouellet also finds it abnormal that bonuses are offered to SAQ employees while the price of bottles is increased for consumers. “It’s a bonus as usual. It is bar open“, he lamented.
“Are these famous variable remunerations in monopoly markets still the right thing to do for the public service? I am not convinced,” commented Mr. Ouellet, who wants to make it an election issue.