Eliminating anticipated $1.5B Quebec health deficit is ‘non-negotiable’: Dubé
Posted November 28, 2024 12:58 pm.
Eliminating the anticipated $1.5 billion healthcare deficit this year is “non-negotiable.” That’s what Health Minister Christian Dubé said in a press scrum at the National Assembly on Thursday.
He was clarifying a statement he made to La Presse that he would be more lenient with health establishments that exceed their budgets due to the rising needs of healthcare services.
However, he would be less lenient with establishments who manage their administrative expenses poorly, he said.
“No, what I said is that we must find all the necessary means to respect the commitment we made. We understand that it is difficult with the increase in demand, (…) but we will respect our budgets,” he declared.
“It’s non-negotiable and it’s been that way from the beginning,” said Dubé.
On Thursday, the Official Opposition said it feared the impact of the major clean-up that will be carried out with the government’s spending.
“The health record of the Coalition avenir Québec is a disaster and what is the government announcing? Cuts,” said Liberal MNA André Fortin.
He condemned the reduced hours in CHSLDs and the suspension of postings for nursing positions.
“How will cutting nurse positions help them catch up on surgeries?” he said.
Québec solidaire MNA Vincent Marissal pointed out that within the last week, “330 positions were axed in Chaudière-Appalaches, 565 positions at the CISSS de Laval and 500 at the CISSS Montérégie-Est.”
“The positions that were set aside (…) were vacant. We did not lay off staff,” said Dubé.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
