Quebec public health-care workers denounce 'privatization' amid $1B deficit

Health-care professionals in Quebec are continuing to speak out against the government's move toward privatization as it enacts cost-saving measures, including a hiring freeze.

Earlier this week, Geneviève Biron, head of Santé Québec—the province’s new health management system—acknowledged the mounting pressure on the network. Biron, who previously led the private-sector Biron Medical Group, sparked concerns that she might manage Santé Québec like a business. She confirmed that the government is attempting to cover a $1 billion deficit in the sector "without affecting services," while continuing to rely on the private sector as a resource.

When questioned by reporters about the feasibility of this approach, Biron avoided direct answers, instead emphasizing her goal to strengthen the public health system. She highlighted the need to "up our game" in areas such as primary care, emergency services, surgeries, and treatment access. “We’re not talking about cuts. We’re aiming for deficits and we’re asking people to manage efficiently,” she stated. “We need to be respectful of our budgets … I think health care needs to be contributing to good management of our economy, as other sectors.”

In parallel, the health ministry has implemented a hiring freeze at various institutions, including the CISSS de Laval, where 565 positions remain vacant indefinitely following a “structural review.” The union representing these workers expressed their shock at the decision. Additionally, the CHUM has around 580 vacant positions, and the CISSS Est-de-l’Ile has around 120 unfilled roles.

Réjean Leclerc, president of the Fédération de la santé et services sociaux (FSSS), which represents over 140,000 workers, accused the government of “double-speak” and misleading the public. He criticized the government’s inconsistency, pointing to Health Minister Christian Dubé's initial pledge to reduce reliance on the private sector, followed by a reversal of this stance. Recently, Dubé stated his goal to ensure that every Quebecer has access to a health professional by the summer of 2026.

Leclerc also accused the government of being disingenuous about its financial situation. “The government pretends it isn’t in a period of austerity, which is false. It pretends it isn’t touching the needs of the people when it comes to care and services, and now they’re announcing cuts while they spent a lot of money on the private sector,” he said. “They put $3 billion in their pocket while asking us to cut $1 billion.”

Leclerc criticized Biron’s view of the public health-care network, calling it more expensive while the government continues to fund private medical groups with public money. “Now we’re being asked to cut from the public sector what’s been paid out to the public. I’m saying the government should get that money back from private agencies,” he stated.

The hiring freeze, Leclerc warned, will severely affect services, leaving critical positions unfilled as retirements go without replacements. Health-care workers, already overstretched, are often forced to work multiple jobs at lower wages. “There’s no fat left to trim,” Leclerc said. “The government can’t even pay what’s owed to us as part of our collective agreements.”

Leclerc also expressed frustration with the government’s failure to learn from the pandemic. He warned that if the government continues to undervalue preventive care, at-home care, and hospital support staff, Quebecers will suffer.