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Montreal – April 29, 2013 – UFCW activists in Quebec celebrated May Day early this year, by rallying in Montreal with thousands of neighbours, co-workers and community members on April 27 to send a very strong message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper about his reckless attack on Canada’s EI system.

Marching through the streets of downtown Montreal, the massive group of workers, students, social justice activists and community members were heard for blocks, loudly telling the Harper government to stop “wrecking the employment insurance program!”

The Harper government’s imposed changes to the EI system are having a devastating impact in working families in Canada, including a number of UFCW Canada members.

Walking from two starting points, the marchers met as they approached the Place des Festivals, at the Quartiers des spectacles, where a show, under the artistic guidance of Mouffe, was taking place. Artists Daniel Boucher, Pascale Picard and Paul Piché as well as the Zapartistes were there to greet marchers.

‘‘The Harper government has no right to axe a program that is entirely funded by workers and employers,” says Louis Bolduc, executive assistant to the UFCW Canada National President. “Stephen Harper’s Conservative dogmatism is hurting prosperity, and it’s causing a growing number of working families to find themselves in very difficult circumstances. By taking stands like this, Quebec workers are showing their clear dissatisfaction with the Conservatives and their misguided policies.”