The PQ is reportedly considering
abolishing Santé Québec
(Victoriaville) A government led by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon would consider scrapping Santé Québec. The leader of the Parti Québécois believes that the future Crown corporation is serving as a "screen" for the CAQ to carry out "dirty work"
such as cutting a billion dollars in health spending.
"Everything is on the table on our side," said the PQ leader as his party's National Council begins this Sunday in Victoriaville. The event is also being held under the theme Beyond the reforms of health structures.
"Let's look at what Santé Québec is for to make a decision about the usefulness of this structure. But if it is used as a screen for cuts without the minister having to answer for a decision that is strictly speaking political, I remain convinced. I'm not convinced," said Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon at a press conference.
Until now, the Parti Québécois – which has never been in favour of the creation of this new Crown corporation – has given the runner a chance. However, the last few months and the round of interviews with the head of Santé Québec, Geneviève Biron, have not demonstrated the added value of the structure, according to the PQ.
"What worries me about Santé Québec is that we are giving [it] all the dirty work, all the difficult decisions. We are saying to Santé Québec: "You are going to cut $1 billion, maybe $1.5 billion. And we, ministries and politicians, wash our hands of it. We don't have an answer to give because it's Santé Québec,'" says Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon.
In an interview with La Presse on Tuesday, Geneviève Biron called on health institutions to clean up to reduce a billion dollars in spending without affecting services. This is not the time for half measures, as Quebec expects to record a historic deficit of $11 billion. The CISSSs and CIUSSSs must eliminate their deficits to return to balanced budgets.
The local association of Laporte will also propose on Sunday that the "national council mandate the political commission to study the possibility of setting up a complete external financial audit of the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Quebec Health Agency." However, the political committee presented an unfavourable opinion on the proposal, confirmed the president Camille Pellerin-Forget.
Prevention and over-prescribingThe Parti Québécois pledged Sunday to put prevention back in the spotlight to improve the health of Quebecers and reduce the pressure on the network. We also want to develop a strategy to reduce the phenomenon of over-prescribing among young people in particular.
"It's not smart in terms of people's health, it's not smart in terms of finances. Not that we are going to stop using medication, but it takes a more rigorous approach to the use of medication and especially how to reconsider the objective, which is the health of the person," explained Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon. Details of this strategy have not yet been revealed.
This is also the case on access, as the Parti Québécois wants to give priority to care by a health professional and not just a family doctor. This is also the approach of the Legault government, which promises that all Quebecers will be enrolled in a GMF or CLSC by the summer of 2026. The PQ did not want to commit to a target for management at this time.
Our commitments will be known in 2026, but will be the result of work like today. While the CAQ, for its part, throws things at the wind based on the poll of the day, then on communication experts.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, Leader of the Parti Québécois
A panel of experts, which includes former Québec solidaire star candidate Dr. Mélissa Généreux, will address the importance of public health and prevention on Sunday. In an interview with La Presse this week, the latter, who is no longer active in the Solidaires, said she was seduced by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's ideas.
Delegates will also vote on a series of health-related proposals, such as addressing the impact of mandatory overtime on caregivers and identifying solutions to expand the practice of licensed practical nurses.
such as cutting a billion dollars in health spending.
"Everything is on the table on our side," said the PQ leader as his party's National Council begins this Sunday in Victoriaville. The event is also being held under the theme Beyond the reforms of health structures.
"Let's look at what Santé Québec is for to make a decision about the usefulness of this structure. But if it is used as a screen for cuts without the minister having to answer for a decision that is strictly speaking political, I remain convinced. I'm not convinced," said Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon at a press conference.
Until now, the Parti Québécois – which has never been in favour of the creation of this new Crown corporation – has given the runner a chance. However, the last few months and the round of interviews with the head of Santé Québec, Geneviève Biron, have not demonstrated the added value of the structure, according to the PQ.
"What worries me about Santé Québec is that we are giving [it] all the dirty work, all the difficult decisions. We are saying to Santé Québec: "You are going to cut $1 billion, maybe $1.5 billion. And we, ministries and politicians, wash our hands of it. We don't have an answer to give because it's Santé Québec,'" says Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon.
In an interview with La Presse on Tuesday, Geneviève Biron called on health institutions to clean up to reduce a billion dollars in spending without affecting services. This is not the time for half measures, as Quebec expects to record a historic deficit of $11 billion. The CISSSs and CIUSSSs must eliminate their deficits to return to balanced budgets.
The local association of Laporte will also propose on Sunday that the "national council mandate the political commission to study the possibility of setting up a complete external financial audit of the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Quebec Health Agency." However, the political committee presented an unfavourable opinion on the proposal, confirmed the president Camille Pellerin-Forget.
Prevention and over-prescribingThe Parti Québécois pledged Sunday to put prevention back in the spotlight to improve the health of Quebecers and reduce the pressure on the network. We also want to develop a strategy to reduce the phenomenon of over-prescribing among young people in particular.
"It's not smart in terms of people's health, it's not smart in terms of finances. Not that we are going to stop using medication, but it takes a more rigorous approach to the use of medication and especially how to reconsider the objective, which is the health of the person," explained Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon. Details of this strategy have not yet been revealed.
This is also the case on access, as the Parti Québécois wants to give priority to care by a health professional and not just a family doctor. This is also the approach of the Legault government, which promises that all Quebecers will be enrolled in a GMF or CLSC by the summer of 2026. The PQ did not want to commit to a target for management at this time.
Our commitments will be known in 2026, but will be the result of work like today. While the CAQ, for its part, throws things at the wind based on the poll of the day, then on communication experts.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, Leader of the Parti Québécois
A panel of experts, which includes former Québec solidaire star candidate Dr. Mélissa Généreux, will address the importance of public health and prevention on Sunday. In an interview with La Presse this week, the latter, who is no longer active in the Solidaires, said she was seduced by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's ideas.
Delegates will also vote on a series of health-related proposals, such as addressing the impact of mandatory overtime on caregivers and identifying solutions to expand the practice of licensed practical nurses.
