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
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.
DEVELOPING Israel says Hamas deal is 'far' from meeting its demands as Rafah offensive looms
Israel said the terms of a ceasefire deal Hamas accepted on Monday remained 'far from' meeting its demands and warned its military operations in Rafah would continue, even as it sent negotiators to talk to mediators.
2024 Met Gala: Everything to know about fashion's annual soiree
Fashion's biggest night out — hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York each year on the first Monday of May — is both a forever-evolving spectacle and a carefully crafted event.