Unions demonstrate against agreements with Quebec, health care bill
There is major unrest in Quebec's health and social services sector.
One union is still without an agreement in principle and another is refusing to sign its agreement because of a disagreement in the text.
In addition, protesters took to the foot of the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal on Monday to voice their concerns with Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé's health care reform law (Bill 15), which created the new Santé-Québec agency.
"We want people to see us and we want the government to hear that people don't want more private sector in health care," said Hugo Vaillancourt of the Coalition Solidarité Santé.
The coalition says the government has been centralizing the health care network more and it's not working.
"If this was the solution, the system would be doing better because that's what we've been doing for 20 years," said Vaillancourt.
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) patients committee says the largest challenge facing the network is the lack of access to family doctors and primary care.
"Access to services is an enormous challenge and we don't see anything in the reform, of course, that directly addresses these problems. So we're all concerned," said MUCH patients committee chair Ingrid Kovitch.
The Health Ministry told CTV News in a statement that Santé-Québec opening doors to the private sector is "simply not true."
"With Santé-Québec, we're acquiring people with solid, complementary backgrounds, who arrive with a fresh perspective to implement the necessary changes," the ministry said.
Monday's unrest is not new.
On Saturday, several unions demonstrated outside the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) convention, including Fédération Interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) members who are still without an agreement in principle after voting against Quebec's offer.
The federation is calling for better working conditions and wages.
Treasury Board president Sonia LeBel responded, "The government must respect Quebecers' ability to pay, be fair to other unionized workers and have collective agreements that allow us to offer quality care," adding "balanced agreements were reached with the Common Front" thanks to "flexibility" on the union side.
Patients' advocates are urging the two parties to reach an agreement so qualified workers don't leave to go elsewhere, potentially compromising patient care.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have been destroyed in a wildfire.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip flops amid soaring temperatures in Death Valley
A tourist was hospitalized after suffering serious burns on his feet on Saturday when he lost his flip flops at a U.S. national park where temperatures soared past 48 Celsius.
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
Former judge with disputed Cree heritage likely has Indigenous DNA: law society
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Australian field hockey player opts to amputate part of his finger in order to compete in Paris Olympics
In the run up to the Paris Olympics, athletes have been stepping up their preparations in order to maintain their edge over competitors. But for Australia’s Matt Dawson, those preparations looked a little different this year, with the field hockey player opting to have part of his finger amputated in order to compete in the Games.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.