Coalition of health workers, patients, unions formed for Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital

A coalition including unions, health-care professionals, users and chambers of commerce has been formed to urge the government to start work on the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital this spring – after Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé admitted recently that work was postponed and may not happen until 2026.

“It’s absolutely necessary to reconstruct the hospital as planned right now,” said Dr. Marc Brosseau, working at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, as well as the president of the Council of Physicians, Dentists and Pharmacists at the CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.

“It was actually planned from last year, it’s been delayed. Delaying it further as once again it’s recently been announced, is irresponsible.”

Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, in Montreal’s East End, has been in the news for several days due to the postponement of renovations and its dilapidated state. Media reports have included water leaks, elevator malfunctions, and squirrels inside the facility. 

“We’re starting the Coalition HMR to build as much support as we can, starting with the patients of the hospital, the employees of the hospital,” said Dr. Brosseau.

“I represent all the doctors, pharmacists, and we’re asking the population to support us. It’s important for the quality of care in Montreal. Montreal is a major Quebec City, a major Canadian metropolis. It’s unacceptable to have a hospital in this state in our city.”

The coalition is calling on the province to present a detailed timetable for the project.

“The eastern of Montreal has contributed to build this country, this province, with the port, with the industry, with the energy and for 40 years, we have under-invested in this territory — same thing has happened to Maisonneuve-Rosemont,” said Jean-Denis Charest, the CEO of the Chambre de commerce de l’Est de Montréal (CCEM).

“You’ve got the doctor nurses, a lot of workers that are giving their heart to support the population health — but not only in the eastern of Montreal. They are training staff that works all over the province. They’re doing research that helps every hospital in the province. And when I look at that, I think it’s pretty clear that the government of Quebec has the responsibility to move forward with the project.”

Dubé’s office previously told CityNews that they are moving forward to accelerate the project’s deployment and will announce the dates for the next milestones as soon as they are official.