Disillusionment among opposition parties due to the explanation provided for establishing Santé Québec
Quebec's two major political parties, the Parti Québécois (PQ) and Quebec Solidarity (QS), have voiced their displeasure after discovering that the creation of the Health Quebec Agency was a condition for Minister of Health Christian Dubé to rejoin the Quebec Coalition Avenir (CAQ) team in 2022. In their minds, this decision doesn't appear to be beneficial for Quebecers.
A new Crown corporation, aimed at streamlining the health system, came into existence at the end of 2024. Journalist Marie-Michèle Sioui from Le Devoir and former political advisor Pascal Mailhot reveal in their book "The Indomitable Mammoth," published on Tuesday, that Dubé made the creation of Health Quebec a non-negotiable condition for running in the elections, a condition that the CAQ ultimately accepted.
Reacting to the book's publication, Vincent Marissal, QS's spokesperson on health, questioned the positive impact of this decision on Quebecers, asking if it results in improved care, access to care, or better care quality. "But, in the end, what does it give to Quebecers?" he wondered. He further asked about staff retention and hospital construction, stating that none of these benefits seem to be present.
The book also reveals that the project was dubbed "the rattle" by Dubé's entourage. "The Minister got his way with his rattle. He wanted his reform. He got it, but it's us who have the consequences," said the Solidarity MP. Joël Arseneau, PQ's spokesperson on health, stated that Health Quebec is "a new superstructure, with the costs that implies." Arseneau went on to say that the creation of the agency was essentially based on blackmail.
If elected, the Parti Québécois would consider dismantling the agency, Arseneau announced at the beginning of the month. In light of the recently published book, it appears that the minister's commitment to his reform has come at a cost. The current state of Health Quebec raises concerns about financial management and effectiveness. The government must manage over 245 sites in remote regions, with the Commissioner for Sustainable Development noting that abandoned mines in northern Quebec will cost the state more than $600 million.
The south of Quebec is expected to receive its largest snowfall of the winter, with 20 to 35 centimeters forecasted, as the province braces for a significant winter storm. Meanwhile, Americans continue to express dismay over Trump's about-faces, with a Pew Institute survey finding that 40% of opinions are favorable, a 7-point decrease from February.
- The Parti Québécois (PQ) and Quebec Solidarity (QS) have expressed concerns about the creation of the Health Quebec Agency, questioning its benefits for Quebecers.
- In their book "The Indomitable Mammoth," reporters Marie-Michèle Sioui from Le Devoir and Pascal Mailhot reveal that the creation of Health Quebec was a non-negotiable condition for Minister of Health Christian Dubé, raising questions about the procedure's legitimacy.
- Joël Arseneau, PQ's spokesperson on health, criticized Health Quebec as a new superstructure with potential financial implications, while suggesting that the agency might be dismantled if the PQ is elected.
- The book also indicates that the project was informally named "the rattle" by Dubé's team, suggesting that its creation was a result of blackmail, according to Solidarity's MP and spokesperson on health, Vincent Marissal.
