Le programme canadien de lutte à l’inflation

Dans le cadre du programme canadien de contrôle des prix et des salaires, l'auteur cherche à savoir si nos modes traditionnels de relations de travail peuvent continuer de solutionner les conflits à des coûts qui demeurent acceptables sur le plan social.It is mainly at the plant level and at the bargaining table that the distribution of the economic pie is made and where equilibrium between efficiency and security is seeked. In Canada, at least for the time being, all concerned parties still have a confiictual approach to the problem of income distribution. It is questionnable whether such an approach can last when one considers the multiplicity of problems.The Canadian wage and price control program may be defined as a mean to try to modify programs of remuneration and collective agreements whether freely bargained or not and as a program which is part of a more global effort aiming at limiting the demands on our economy.Anti-inflationnary measures used in this program are cuts in government ex-penditures, limits on the growth of civil service, fiscal and monetary measures aiming at keeping the rate of growth of total demand and of production compatible with the decreasing rate of inflation, and structural policies for particular problems such as energy, housing and food, and also aiming at better working conditions.This A IB program is not anti-labour since its application is largely volontary and since it aims at preventing a loss of income in real terms.It is only after the signing of an agreement that the AIB gets into play in an effort to revise such an agreement to see whether guidelines have been respected or not. These guidelines are, 1) the wage of a working person may increase at the same rate as the anticipated growth of the cost of living. 2) Workers income may increase slightly more rapidly than the anticipated growth of the cost of living. This objective is reached by adding the national productivity coefficient of 2%. 3) Because of past inflation and because of past wage policies workers in need of catching up may do so under this program.An examination of past experience shows that the program works and that Canadians are ready to do their share in order to attain specific objectives. This attitude however can only be temporary as the program of wage and price control cannot be an antidote to the causes of inflation. More permanent solutions need to be found.As part of these permanent solutions it seems to me that the adversary system philosophy of our labour relations system needs to be reexamined. A climate of mutual respect must be restablished between labour and management

Étude sur les besoins et aspirations des citoyens du Nord-Est de Montréal-Nord

En collaboration avec : Les assistants de recherche et stagiaires : Mounia Chadi; Alexandre Claude; Idir Guermah Véronic Lapalme; Elsa Lavigne; Nomez Najac; Sandra Najac; Joseph Westres. Le comité de recherche et la direction de l’IUPE : Isaac Acevedo (Accorderie de Montréal-Nord); Diomedes Caicedo (citoyen); Aziz Elasri (SHAPEM); Julie Demers (Parole d’excluEs); Jean-Marc Fontan (IUPE);Étienne Grondin (Parole d’excluEs); Rose-Andrée Hubbard (SPVM); Williamson Lamarre (Café Jeunesse Multiculturel); Maria Ponce (citoyenne); Patrice Rodriguez (Parole d’excluEs); Richard Vallée (CSSS Ahuntsic Montréal-Nord).L’étude sur les besoins et aspirations des citoyens du Nord-Est de Montréal-Nord s’inscrit dans la démarche de Parole d’excluEs, un organisme qui lutte contre la pauvreté et l’exclusion sociale par la participation citoyenne. Elle jumèle l’approche ethnographique à la recherche-action participative, en encourageant la prise de parole citoyenne et l’action collective. L’étude poursuit un triple objectif : cerner la perception des citoyens de leur quartier; identifier les changements auxquels ils aspirent; les mobiliser pour des changements ciblés. Au terme d’une période de six mois, nous avons échangé avec 209 citoyens du Nord-Est de Montréal-Nord aux profils divers et dans une variété de contextes informels et formels. Tout au long de la collecte de données, nous avons veillé à ce que les enjeux émanent du terrain, selon les priorités et préoccupations des citoyens. Nous n’avions pas de cadre conceptuel ni de grille analytique préétablis. Une analyse thématique inductive et transversale des données nous a permis de regrouper différents enjeux identifiés et d’en dégager quatre grands défis transversaux qui constitueront la base des actions à mener par Parole d’excluEs et ses partenaires dans le quartier : le vivre ensemble; les préjugés et la discrimination; la situation des jeunes; et les conditions de vie et la pauvreté. Chacun de ces défis reflète des perceptions et des expériences diverses – voire, opposées – qui illustrent des dynamiques, mais aussi des tensions sociales présentes dans le secteur. L’analyse inclut également plus de 250 pistes d'action proposées par les citoyens pour agir sur les défis. Une discussion analytique qui propose différents croisements permet de dégager les contributions de cette recherche. La présente étude représente en effet non seulement une valeur ajoutée en termes de connaissance des dynamiques sociales et des besoins et aspirations des citoyens du Nord-Est de Montréal-Nord, mais propose également un processus et une méthode de recherche innovants, en jumelant la recherche-action participative et l’approche ethnographique.The study on the needs and aspirations of Northeast citizens of Montreal North is enshrined in Parole d’excluEs, an organization that fights against poverty and social exclusion through citizen participation. This research combines ethnographic methods and participatory action research by encouraging citizens to speak out and take collective actions. The study has three objectives: identifying citizen’s perceptions of the neighbourhood; identifying changes they would like to see and mobilize citizens for targeted changes. After a period of six months, we exchanged with 209 citizens of the North East Montreal North sector with various profiles in a variety of informal and formal settings. During data collection, we have ensured that the issues originated from the field, according to the priorities and concerns of the citizens. We had no conceptual framework nor pre-established analytical grid. Inductive and transversal thematic analysis of the data allowed us to consolidate various issues we identified and we were able to identify four major crosscutting challenges that will form the basis of actions carried out by Parole d’excluEs and it’s partners in the neighbourhood: living together; prejudice and discrimination; the situation of young people; and living conditions and poverty. Each of these challenges reflects various – at times even opposite – perceptions and experiences of citizens that illustrate the dynamics, but also the social tensions present in the area. The analysis also includes more than 250 courses of action proposed by citizens to address the challenges in the neighbourhood. This study contributes not only to the knowledge of social dynamics and the needs and aspirations of the citizens of the North-East of Montreal North, but also to the development of innovative research processes and methods, combining participatory action research and ethnographic approach.Co-publication avec Parole d'excluEs et l'Incubateur universitaire Parole d'excluEs

Le point sur les pensions

In the absence of change to the income security system, more than 50% of workers moving toward retirement, with salaries on both sides of the median, will have to reduce significantly their standard of living. For the workers who rely strictly on the Old Age Pension and the Quebec Pension Plan, the solution cannot reside in the setting up of large defined benefit or defined contribution plans in their current form. There is only one conclusion, the existing voluntary approach to complementary pension plans and registered retirement savings plans must be replaced by compulsory participation and the locking-up of retirement savings. For the workers not covered by an employer pension plan, the establishment of a compulsory retirement pension plan, similar to the RRSP, is the solution best adapted to the Quebec context and the income security policy. En l’absence de changements au système de sécurité du revenu, plus de 50 % des travailleurs qui se dirigent vers la retraite, dont les salaires se situent de chaque côté de la médiane, vont devoir réduire significativement leur niveau de vie. Ce sont en grande partie des travailleurs de la petite et moyenne entreprise et des travailleurs autonomes. La question de la retraite des deux tiers des travailleurs qui ne peuvent compter que sur la Pension de la sécurité de la vieillesse et le Régime de rentes du Québec ne peut trouver sa solution dans l’établissement généralisé de régimes à prestation déterminée ou de régimes à cotisation déterminée dans leur forme actuelle. Une conclusion s’impose, le caractère facultatif ou volontaire qui caractérise les régimes complémentaires de retraite et les régimes enregistrés d’épargne retraite doit être remplacé par la participation obligatoire et par l’immobilisation de l’épargne retraite. Pour les travailleurs non couverts par un régime d’employeur, la création d’un régime obligatoire de type RÉER est la solution la mieux adaptée en fonction du contexte québécois et de la politique de la sécurité du revenu.income security system, pensions, compulsory participation. , système de sécurité du revenu, pensions, participation obligatoire.

A collaborative model to implement flexible, accessible and efficient oncogenetic services for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer : the C-MOnGene study

Medical genetic services are facing an unprecedented demand for counseling and testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) in a context of limited resources. To help resolve this issue, a collaborative oncogenetic model was recently developed and implemented at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval; Quebec; Canada. Here, we present the protocol of the C-MOnGene (Collaborative Model in OncoGenetics) study, funded to examine the context in which the model was implemented and document the lessons that can be learned to optimize the delivery of oncogenetic services. Within three years of implementation, the model allowed researchers to double the annual number of patients seen in genetic counseling. The average number of days between genetic counseling and disclosure of test results significantly decreased. Group counseling sessions improved participants' understanding of breast cancer risk and increased knowledge of breast cancer and genetics and a large majority of them reported to be overwhelmingly satisfied with the process. These quality and performance indicators suggest this oncogenetic model offers a flexible, patient-centered and efficient genetic counseling and testing for HBOC. By identifying the critical facilitating factors and barriers, our study will provide an evidence base for organizations interested in transitioning to an oncogenetic model integrated into oncology care; including teams that are not specialized but are trained in genetics

Le Forum, Vol. 43 No. 1

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/1099/thumbnail.jp

Validating intravascular imaging with serial optical coherence tomography and confocal fluorescence microscopy

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are characterized by the formation of a plaque in the arterial wall. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) provides high-resolution images allowing delineation of atherosclerotic plaques. When combined with near infrared fluorescence (NIRF), the plaque can also be studied at a molecular level with a large variety of biomarkers. In this work, we present a system enabling automated volumetric histology imaging of excised aortas that can spatially correlate results with combined IVUS/NIRF imaging of lipid-rich atheroma in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Pullbacks in the rabbit aortas were performed with a dual modality IVUS/NIRF catheter developed by our group. Ex vivo three-dimensional (3D) histology was performed combining optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal fluorescence microscopy, providing high-resolution anatomical and molecular information, respectively, to validate in vivo findings. The microscope was combined with a serial slicer allowing for the imaging of the whole vessel automatically. Colocalization of in vivo and ex vivo results is demonstrated. Slices can then be recovered to be tested in conventional histology

Il faut redonner l’accès aux soins à tous les Québécois

Cet article nous met en garde contre une représentation biaisée, largement véhiculée, du débat actuel qui associe la défense d’une intégration du privé dans le système public à un désaveu du principe de l’égalité d’accès pour tous et comme une admission sans réserve d’un système injuste à « deux vitesses ». Or, il nous faut constater les conséquences négatives perverses de notre régime public limitant, dans les faits, l’utilisation optimale des ressources disponibles et l’accès aux soins, et reconnaître les avantages d’une coexistence positive du privé et du public (à l’image du modèle français) qui, outre les solutions pratiques qu’elle comporte, se conforme au droit fondamental de la liberté de choix des individus. Bien comprise et intelligemment orchestrée, l’intégration des sources privées de financement en amont ne remet pas en cause l’égalité d’accès aux soins en aval mais nous permettra, bien plutôt, de résorber la crise systémique qui paralyse le système de santé.The author warns us against the widely spread misconception that views any attempt to integrate private channels of health care financing and delivery within the public system as a repudiation of the principle of equal access for all. This undermines the present debate, fostering a blind acceptance that this will result in an unfair “two-tiered regime”. However, we must still acknowledge the negative and perverse consequences present in the actual public system which in fact prevents the optimal utilisation of available resources and effective access to health care. We should recognise instead the real advantages that a positive coexistence of private and public channels brings about (e.g. the French model). This would not only permit us to implement concrete solutions but also conforms to the fundamental individual right to freedom of choice. If it is well understood and carefully orchestrated, allowing private sources of financing upstream will not undermine equal access to health care downstream. Instead, it will allow us to solve the systemic crisis that paralyses our health care system