What began as a student strike against tuition hikes has since spread into a protest movement with wide-ranging social and environmental demands and tactics. With hundreds of thousands of people coming out to protest the hikes, and the anti-austerity movement growing by the day, the Quebecoise government has passed draconian bill 78 through the back door.

Bill 78 imposes severe restrictions on the right to protest. Any group of 50 or more protesters must submit plans to police eight hours ahead of time; they can be denied the right to proceed. Picket lines at universities and colleges are forbidden, and illegal protests are punishable by fines from $5,000 to $125,000 for individuals and unions – as well as by the seizure of union dues and the dissolution of their associations.

Jean-Francoise Joubert, a University lecturer in Quebec will speak from a first hand perspective on the situation in Quebec at 3pm TODAY, FRIDAY 1st of JUNE.