Bill 15: Work on Quebec's health reform plan resumes Monday

On Monday, parliamentarians resumed their work on the health-care reform bill tabled by Minister Christian Dubé. Opposition parties are calling for amendments to maintain checks and balances and ensure greater transparency within the future Santé Québec agency.

The voluminous draft 'Loi visant à rendre le système de santé et de services sociaux plus efficace' contains almost 1,200 articles to be studied. What's more, the minister himself has announced his intention to table some 150 amendments, possibly on Tuesday morning.

Opposition parties promise to work together to improve the bill. However, there are serious doubts about the minister's ability to analyze and adopt all the articles before the end of the fall.

At a press briefing prior to the start of discussions on Monday, Marc Tanguay, interim leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, described the future agency to take charge of network operations as "an opportunity for François Legault's government to relinquish responsibility" for health care.

He also feared that the government would pass its legislation under a gag order, an option that Dubé has still not totally ruled out.

In response to a question from Québec Solidaire deputy Vincent Marissal, the minister simply stated that "it's not on the cards" for the time being. He insists, however, that discussions will have to stop at some point before changes can be implemented on the ground.

Liberal health critic André Fortin outlined four key areas where he believes changes are needed. The Liberals want to maintain the checks and balances granted to doctors' councils, as well as the protection of users' committees, which also act as watchdogs.

He added that, in his view, the government had still not demonstrated the need to create a new government health corporation.

The Liberal party also wants the law to be more specific about the independence of medical faculties and foundations, ensuring donations are invested according to the wishes of the donors, and not according to the wishes of Santé Québec.

For the Parti québécois, health spokesperson Joël Arseneau reiterated his willingness to work to improve a bill that was "highly perfectible." He said that "things are not getting any better" in the healthcare network.

In turn, he wants assurances that Santé Québec will be accountable to the public. In particular, he wants greater transparency regarding contracts between the public network and private medical centers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 21, 2023.