Former Quebec premier Lucien Bouchard has enraged union leaders by accusing Quebecers of not working hard enough and dragging down the province economically.

Quebec is falling behind Ontario and the United States because Quebecers have a soft work ethic that will end up costing them, Bouchard told a French-language television network on Tuesday.

Productivity levels are lower in Quebec but that doesn't mean they don't work hard, labour leaders responded. Rather, it's an indication of how important it is to Quebecers to achieve a satisfying quality of life, by balancing work and personal demands.

It means Quebec is a happier and healthier society, said Henri Massé, president of the Fédération des travailleurs du Québec, one of the largest labour federations in the province.

"We have better vacation. We have better congé parentaux [parental leave] when we have children."

Productivity levels could increase in the province if there was more technology investment, Massé added.

Bouchard based his statements on research by Pierre Fortin, an economics professor at l'Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), who found Quebecers do work a shorter week than others.

"In the United States, their week amounts to 37 hours [average]. In Ontario, it's 34 hours, and in Quebec, it's 32," Fortin told CBC.

Quebecers also leave the workforce earlier than others and choose to retire at a younger age.