Public hearings on Quebec’s controversial health reform legislation Bill 10 ended Thursday, and while the opposition says it's a major power grab by Health Minister Gaetan Barrette, Barrette says people want a big change and this is it.
Union members offered a little medicine for Barrette at a protest Thursday -- skeleton-shaped candy they say he should take twice daily until he regains his mind.
Louise Chabot, president of the Centrale des syndicats du Quebec which represents nurses and other health care professionals, says people's needs will be poorly identified if bill 10 passes because it lumps institutions together.
“The needs of a territory’s population will be poorly identified,” she said.
The opposition Parti Quebecois warns Barrette will have all sorts of new powers, and even says Anglophones’ access to health care is threatened.
“They found a way to be recognized to be listened in this health system and they don't want to lose that,” said Diane Lamarre, the PQ’s health critic.
Institutions like the Jewish General Hospital and St. Brigid's seniors’ home worry because under Bill 10 their boards will be abolished and their power, diluted, but Barrette stressed Anglophones’ rights will be protected.
Concerns that groups like Batshaw family services might not be able to find suitable foster homes for Anglophone kids are overblown, the Liberals say.
“Of course they're going to have their place and we won’t let down our youth,” said Minister For Youth Protection and Public Health Lucie Charlebois.
Barrette says he will propose changes to the bill including strengthening protections for Anglophones and an expiry date for his new powers with a promise to return some of it to local officials by the end of Liberal mandate in 2018.
