Quebec cuts 1,000 health-care jobs in a month as it tackles deficit
The recent surge in job cuts within Quebec’s health network has sparked concerns as the province grapples with a $1.5 billion deficit in its public health-care system. The Health Ministry’s latest data reveals a decrease in the number of employees in the network, dropping to 348,353 in mid-December 2024, marking a decline of 1,045 people compared to the previous month.
The trend of job cuts is expected to continue, with reports indicating that the CISSS regional health board in Laval, Que., is set to eliminate approximately 150 positions in the coming days. Many of these affected roles are patient attendants and auxiliary nurses. The looming shortfall in Laval is projected to be around $55 million for the fiscal year ending on March 31.
Similarly, in Chaudière-Appalaches, located south of Quebec City, over 130 positions are at risk of being impacted, according to union representatives. The regional health board, CISSS de Chaudière-Appalaches, emphasized the need to implement new budget balancing measures by eliminating permanent positions.
Recent announcements have also highlighted job cuts in other regions, such as the elimination of 196 positions in the CISSS de l’Outaouais and the potential cut of 40 management positions in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
Health Minister Christian Dubé has expressed confidence in Santé Québec, the province’s new Crown corporation tasked with addressing the deficit by the end of March. Despite the ongoing layoffs, Dubé reassured the public that there will be no impact on services.
Santé Québec spokesperson Yann Langlais Plante explained that while some daytime positions may be eliminated, new positions will be created for evening, night, and weekend shifts to maintain staffing levels. However, medical professionals like Dr. Joseph Dahine have voiced concerns about the impact of these cuts on patient care, highlighting potential decreases in services.
In December, Santé Québec set a target of reducing hours worked by 3.65%, with cost-cutting efforts including reducing the use of private health agencies, cutting overtime, and eliminating vacant positions. Denis Cloutier, president of the Syndicat des professionnelles en soins de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, raised concerns about employers not replacing absences, which could affect patient care and wait times for surgeries.
FSSS-CSN president Réjean Leclerc warned that implementing $1.5 billion in austerity measures without impacting services is challenging. He cautioned that the mass elimination of positions could jeopardize the safety of users within the health network.
Overall, the ongoing job cuts in Quebec’s health network underscore the challenges of balancing budgetary constraints with the need to maintain quality healthcare services for the population.
