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
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire doubles in size as 3,000-plus ordered to evacuate
The wildfire that sparked Friday and caused evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people in Fort Nelson, B.C., and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has grown to nearly 1,700 hectares in size, according to a Saturday morning update from the BC Wildfire Service.
Dutch contestant kicked out of Eurovision hours before tension-plagued song contest final
Hours before the final, Dutch contestant Joost Klein was dramatically booted out by organizers over a backstage incident. He had failed to perform at two dress rehearsals on Friday, and contest organizer the European Broadcasting Union said it was investigating an "incident."
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.