Quebec spending on private agency health workers soars over last five years
The Quebec government reportedly spent more than $1.5 billion last year on private-agency health-care workers at a time when its health ministry says it wants to reduce the use of private health services.
The data was obtained from the health ministry and reported by the Journal de Montreal (JdeM). The same figures show that private-sector spending is five times what it was five years ago in 2017-2018, when the government spent $300 million.
Health Minister Christian Dube has publicly made it a mission to stop using private agencies to staff hospitals altogether by 2026. However, when questioned on those figures Tuesday, he emphasized again that it will be a gradual process.
Still, it's not entirely clear how the province will pull itself out of its health-care labour shortage and stop relying on the private sector.
The ministry has already put measures in place to try and dissuade public sector nurses from going private. Largely punitive in nature, they are supposed to ensure that nurses at private agencies are given less desirable shifts and that nurses in the public system have a difficult time moving back and forth between the sectors.
Back in April, Dube said “Quebec is dependent” on private agencies to make up for missing manpower.
According to the JdeM’s reporting, government spending in the private sector is five times what it was five years ago, coming to $300 M in 2017-2018.
The staffing situation remains desperate in some regions -- one health authority in Quebec’s West-Monteregie region has resorted to offering incentives like a free place to sleep at the hospital and paid mileage for nurses who live more than 50 km away from the hospitals if they agree to work two double shifts.
On Tuesday, Dube said he expects the government will be able to curb those costs when new legislation comes into effect. One new regulation limits the amount private agencies can charge.
“Remember, it’s not long ago that we had prepared (Bill) 10,” Dube said.
The nurses' union, the FIQ, had demanded in March 2023 that the government continue work to further modify Bill 10, chapter 8: An Act limiting the use of personnel placement agencies’ services and independent labour in the health and social services sector.
As a result, Dube said Bill 10 as it now stands, addresses two issues: "the timing of being able to get rid of the agency, and it limited the amount that they can charge us. These two (factors) will be in application as of this October,” Dube added.
“So, I think we have the tools,” he said.
Attracting nurses to the public system remains the biggest hurdle. Prominent nurses’ unions have said the government needs to improve working conditions and salaries.
Negotiations are ongoing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
WATCH LIVE Charges against world's top golfer Scottie Scheffler dropped after arrest outside PGA Championship
Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being arrested and handcuffed in Louisville during the PGA Championship.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
How Trump's hush money trial verdict could affect the 2024 election
Here is how three potential outcomes from the jury room ─ a guilty verdict, an acquittal or a hung jury ─ could affect the presidential campaign.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
An Iceland volcano starts erupting again, spewing lava into the sky
A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted Wednesday for the fifth time since December, spewing red streams of lava in the latest display of nature’s power and triggering the evacuation of the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.
'Are you driving?' U.S. man with suspended licence shows up on court Zoom call while behind the wheel
A Michigan man with a suspended driver's licence didn't appear to have thought through a recent court appearance made on video, joining the Zoom call while driving.