Quebec health minister asks nurses to come back to help struggling health-care system
The situation in Quebec's health-care system "will continue to be difficult" in the coming weeks, Health Minister Christian Dubé warned Thursday.
He is calling on nurses to come and help out at busy Info-Santé 811 phone line, which received around 10,000 calls on Wednesday.
"The 811 line is working very well, but there is a lack of staff to answer the phone," said Dubé during a press scrum at the national assembly.
"I am inviting nurses who are retired, or who are in private agencies, to come and help us in the next few weeks. We could take up to 5,000 nurses."
The minister noted that the number of influenza cases in the province continues to rise, and he invited all Quebecers to get vaccinated, reminding them that the vaccine is now free.
He also urged parents to keep their children at home if they have flu-like symptoms. Currently, 120,000 children are absent from school, according to the most recent data.
During question period, Liberal health critic André Fortin criticized the minister for his poor results. "The emergency rooms are overflowing," he said.
"In Repentigny this morning ... it's 181 per cent occupancy in the ER, in Sorel, 194 per cent, in Buckingham, 208 per cent, and in Mont-Laurier, 300 per cent occupancy in the ER," he said.
Fortin said that every day, up to 1,500 Quebecers were leaving the emergency room without seeing a doctor.
"This is the failure of the minister of health. To let people leave without care, it is not done,'' Fortin said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Dec. 1, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
No more expensing home internet bills to taxpayers, Tory and Liberal MPs told
The federal Liberal government is joining the Opposition Conservatives in no longer allowing its members of Parliament to expense taxpayers for home internet services.
Canadians fighting in Ukraine, despite no monitoring from government, speak out on war and loss
On Feb. 27, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country needed fighters, and foreigners were welcome to join the front line in the defence against Russian aggression. Some Canadians were among the first to answer the call.
Canada sending 4 battle tanks to Ukraine, maybe more later: Anand
Canada is sending four combat-ready battle tanks to Ukraine and will be deploying 'a number' of Canadian Armed Forces members to train Ukrainian soldiers on how to operate them.
True crime sells, but fans are debating the ethics of their passion
For some people, relaxation looks like settling down with a nice glass of wine and the most graphic, disturbing tale of murder imaginable.
No reason for alarm in Canada after cough syrup deaths in other countries: health agency
Following the deaths of more than 300 children from contaminated cough syrups in several countries, Health Canada says it's been more than a decade since similar cases were identified here.
Rent prices grew at record pace in 2022 as Canada saw lowest vacancy rate in decades
Rent prices in Canada grew at a record pace last year as the country saw the lowest vacancy rate since 2001, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said.
Poor communication and training linked to fatal B.C. ammonia leak
The independent body that oversees the safety of technical systems and equipment in British Columbia has found a deadly ammonia leak near Kamloops last May was a tragedy that took years to unfold.
BREAKING
BREAKING | Ottawa police, bylaw increasing downtown presence on anniversary of 'Freedom Convoy' protest
Ottawa police and Bylaw Services are telling residents and visitors they will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to parking, noise and fireworks violations downtown this weekend, on the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy' demonstration.
Asteroid coming exceedingly close to Earth, but will miss
An asteroid the size of a delivery truck will whip past Earth on Thursday night, one of the closest such encounters ever recorded.
Toronto
-
Toronto police to boost presence on TTC following spike in violence
The Toronto police will be rolling out an increased presence across the TTC following a rash of violent, and sometimes random, incidents on the city’s transit system.
-
Ontario expands eligibility for PCR COVID-19 testing
Ontario has expanded eligibility for PCR testing for COVID-19.
-
Tips to stay safe on Toronto's transit system in light of recent violence
Toronto's transit system has seen a series of violent attacks in recent days, with political, police and transit leaders vowing to make the system safer. Here are a few tips on how Toronto Transit Commission riders can stay safe:
Atlantic
-
Soggy winter storm closes N.B. schools, warnings in effect across the Maritimes
A soggy winter storm made its way to the Maritimes Thursday morning, with Environment Canada issuing a combination of rain, snow and wind warnings for the region.
-
Storm Watch: School closures and cancellations
Here is a list of school closures and cancellations for Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
-
N.S. reports no new COVID-19 deaths; cases increase, hospitalizations decrease
Nova Scotia's weekly COVID-19 update shows a decrease in active hospitalizations but an increase in new cases.
London
-
Doggie discrimination? New LTC pet policy leaves the big dogs at the curb
London Transit riders will soon be able to bring their pets with them on the bus. At its meeting Wednesday night, the London Transit Commission endorsed a report to allow small domestic animals in carriers on buses.
-
Western University to host viewing party for once in a lifetime phenomenon
It may be green in appearance but it isn’t envy that gives this comet its unique colour.
-
From ‘dark and dated' to bright and open - Western U celebrates reopening D.B. Weldon Library
Western University celebrated the completion of the first phase of the D.B. Weldon Library revitalization project on Thursday.
Northern Ontario
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Victim identified in fatal hit-and-run on Highway 17
A 36-year-old Sault Ste. Marie woman was killed after being hit by a vehicle on Highway 17 east of Bruce Mines last week, police say.
-
Sudbury woman killed when snowmobile goes through ice
The body of a 29-year-old Sudbury nurse was recovered Wednesday night from a lake near Parry Sound after her snowmobile went through the ice, police say.
-
Clients may have received used needles, Sudbury, Ont., harm reduction group says
Anyone who received a single-use needle from Réseau ACCESS Network in Sudbury in the last several months is at risk of serious infection, the group announced Thursday.
Calgary
-
Police hunt woman in connection to incident that saw victim run over and robbed, in that order
Calgary police have arrested one suspect and are still looking for another in connection to a December incident in a southwest parking lot that left the victim severely injured.
-
'Not moving': why those in the auto industry predict a rough ride for Canadians in 2023
Whether you're interested in buying, renting or repairing, automotive experts are warning Canadians entering the vehicle market to bring extra money -- and patience.
-
'Not true': Alberta justice minister denies crying or yelling during doctor confrontation
Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Shandro says he felt sadness and disappointment when he discovered someone he considered to be a friend had posted a social media post that targeted him and his wife.
Kitchener
-
Two arrested after Stratford police officer dragged by stolen pickup
Two people are facing charges after a police officer was allegedly assaulted in Stratford.
-
Hybrid shelter opening date pushed back
The opening date for the Region of Waterloo’s hybrid shelter has been pushed back, with design delays being blamed.
-
Region to chart a new course for its Cold War-era bunker
Remediation work on the Region of Waterloo’s nuclear bunker is now complete, but what’s next for the Cold War-era building is yet to be decided.
Vancouver
-
Rental vacancy rate in Vancouver drops below 1%, federal report says
Vancouver renters continued to pay the highest prices in Canada as vacancy rates in the area dipped below one per cent last year, according to new federal data.
-
Man arrested after stealing ambulance from B.C. hospital, RCMP say
A man has been arrested after he allegedly stole an ambulance from a hospital in B.C.'s Interior and went on a joyride earlier this month.
-
Vancouver cop could be charged after vandalism suspect seriously injured
British Columbia’s police watchdog believes a Vancouver officer may have committed offences during a 2021 arrest that left a man seriously injured.
Edmonton
-
Edson teacher facing new sexual assault charges after 3 additional victims identified: RCMP
A 50-year-old teacher in Edson, Alta., who was charged with sex offences against a child in November is facing accusations that he sexually assaulted three additional people.
-
'Majority of people will still see an increase': Experts say Alberta auto rate freeze won't provide financial relief
The Alberta government says it is pausing private passenger vehicle insurance rate increases through the end of 2023 after hearing concerns from drivers about affordability, but experts say most drivers will still see a rate increase.
-
Alberta to address rural doctor shortages through training in Lethbridge and Grande Prairie
The provincial government has unveiled its plan to bring more physicians to areas that are currently underserved, but some doctors aren't convinced the strategy will address the real problem.
Windsor
-
‘I want to do it right the first time’: Downtown councillor wants city to rescind support for drug consumption site location
Construction of a Consumption and Treatment Site (CTS) in Windsor is humming along — with a targeted opening of March for what’s being called “SafePoint.”
-
SIU ends investigation after 29-year-old man injured
The Special Investigations Unit has ended an investigation into the reported serious injury suffered by a 29-year-old man in Windsor police custody last October.
-
Damage estimated at $700,000 after Lakeshore house fire
A Lakeshore house fire caused an estimated $700,000 in damage.
Regina
-
Here's how much rent will cost the average tenant in Regina
Rising rent costs and limited options are making it challenging for Regina renters to find the right place to settle into.
-
Regina police officer catches 11 drivers using mobile devices in 3 shifts
A Regina police officer said he caught 11 drivers on mobile devices in three shifts.
-
'We're in this together': Sask. woman spreading joy to other cancer warriors through crocheted keychains
A Saskatchewan woman is focusing on bringing happiness to other people who are battling cancer as she fights the disease herself.
Ottawa
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Ottawa police, bylaw increasing downtown presence on anniversary of 'Freedom Convoy' protest
Ottawa police and Bylaw Services are telling residents and visitors they will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to parking, noise and fireworks violations downtown this weekend, on the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy' demonstration.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Murder suspect, 18, arrested in Ottawa Valley
Police in Renfrew County have arrested an 18-year-old suspect after a homicide Wednesday night.
-
City of Ottawa committee votes to reopen Wellington Street
A year after the 'Freedom Convoy' protest shut down Wellington Street, a city of Ottawa committee has voted to reopen it to cars.
Saskatoon
-
'Just sick to my stomach': Sask. mom says cheer team asked daughter to hide self-harm scars
A Saskatchewan mother says her 13-year-old daughter is being shamed for her past mental health challenges.
-
'It's been a morning': Freezing rain makes for treacherous Saskatoon area commute
Freezing rain on Thursday morning has contributed to dangerous driving conditions in and around Saskatoon.
-
'Let's get this done the right way': Saskatoon city council mulls library access redesign
Christina Martens-Funk has used a wheelchair for nearly 30 years, where getting around Saskatoon streets can be a chore no matter the time of year.