Thousands March in Quebec City for Women's Rights, Marking 30th Anniversary of 'Bread and Roses' Movement

Quebec City Hosts Major Women's Rights Demonstration

Quebec City, Canada – Thousands of individuals converged on October 18, 2025, in Quebec City for a large-scale women's rights march, marking the 30th anniversary of the seminal 'Bread and Roses' movement. The demonstration, organized by the Coordination du Québec de la Marche mondiale des femmes (CQMMF), saw participants gather at the Place de l'Assemblée nationale to protest against enduring issues of poverty, violence against women, and the environmental crisis. Organizers anticipated more than 5,000 participants, with some reports suggesting over 10,000 attendees. The event was part of the 6th edition of the World March of Women, a global mobilization held every five years.

A Legacy of 'Bread and Roses'

The 2025 march directly commemorated the original 'Marche Du pain et des roses' (Bread and Roses March), which took place from May 26 to June 4, 1995. Initiated by the Fédération des femmes du Québec (FFQ) and its then-president, Françoise David, that historic 10-day march aimed to denounce women's poverty and demand improved living and working conditions. It culminated in Quebec City with an estimated 15,000 to 18,000 people gathering before the National Assembly. The 1995 march is widely recognized as a catalyst for the international World March of Women movement.

Leading up to the October event, the 30th anniversary was also honored through a series of local marches across Quebec from May 26 to June 4, 2025, concluding with a gathering in Quebec City on June 7, 2025, which drew nearly 2,000 people.

Renewed Demands for Equality and Justice

Under the theme 'Still marching to transform the world' ('Encore en marche pour transformer le monde'), the 2025 demonstration highlighted the persistent relevance of the issues first raised three decades ago. Key demands articulated by the marchers included:

• An end to poverty, advocating for a decent income and economic autonomy for women.
• The eradication of violence against women, specifically addressing feminicides.
• Urgent action on the environmental crisis, calling for a healthy environment respectful of biodiversity.
• Universal and free access to quality public services.

Julie Antoine, co-spokesperson for the Marche mondiale des femmes, emphasized that it is 'not normal to still be protesting 30 years later to make the same demands,' underscoring that 'true equality has not yet been achieved.'

Broad Mobilization and Solidarity

The march drew a diverse crowd, including women and men from various regions of Quebec, children, and individuals of diverse genders and cultures, creating a 'festive, intergenerational and engaged' atmosphere. Many participants wore purple, a color symbolizing resistance and inclusivity. Several prominent unions, including the CSN, CSQ, and FTQ, along with the Mothers at the Front movement, announced their participation, further demonstrating the broad support for the cause. The event served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for women's rights and social justice in Quebec and globally.