Quebec doctors ask government to halt $1.5B in cuts as patient health is ‘deteriorating’

An electrophysiologist performs a ventricular tachycardia ablation at Sacre-Coeur Hospital, Wednesday, July 26, 2023 in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press) (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)

With Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard about to table his budget, the Fédération des médecins spécialistes (FMSQ) is calling for a halt to the $1.5 billion in cuts to the health sector, saying there are negative impacts on patient care on a daily basis.

Surgeries postponed for lack of funds, under-utilized equipment for important tests, lack of access to rehabilitation, shortcomings in the follow-up of patients with chronic illnesses: there are many repercussions to these cuts, said FMSQ President Dr. Vincent Oliva at a news conference Wednesday.

“As a result, the health of some patients is deteriorating,” he said.

Dr. Gilbert Boucher, vice-president of the federation and president of the Association des spécialistes en médecine d’urgence (ASMUQ), said emergency physicians are frustrated.

Though they would like to transfer patients to the floor, where there are 10 beds available and the necessary staff, doctors say they are being told the hospital cannot make the beds available because of a lack of funds.

“Of course, there are always staff shortages, especially nurses,” said Oliva. “But the $1.5 billion in cuts the Quebec government is asking for from Santé Québec are making the situation worse for patients.”

“Even with the staff we have, we can’t get them to work as they should because we’re refusing overtime, we’re abolishing positions ... It’s incredible that, at a time when there is a relative shortage of staff, hiring freezes are being imposed,” he added.

Oliva said he doesn’t understand why management positions, “bureaucracy,” have been added at a time when the public network is lacking funds to care for patients.

While the winter peak in respiratory infections is behind us, Boucher warned that the hospital situation could be even worse next year because of the ageing population.

Oliva also called on Santé Québec to give hospitals more room to manoeuvre as they are the ones on the ground and can adapt to changing situations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French March 12, 2025.