Healthy slimming diet: infrastructure projects affected throughout Quebec

A few hours before the economic and financial update from the Minister of Finance, examples of cuts to infrastructure budgets are multiplying in the health network.

According to information obtained by -, the CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal must reduce its budget devoted to the maintenance, conservation and upgrading of buildings and equipment from $102 to $61.3 million.

We must contribute to the efforts necessary to move towards a return to budgetary balance, which involves respecting the new directive now prescribing a maximum annual disbursement threshold.

We have, for example, postponed the completion of the expansion of the endoscopy unit at the Santa Cabrini Ospedale Hospital, the dehumidification work in several clinical sectors, the development of micro-environments in CHSLDthe repair of windows and facades in various facilities, the upgrading of certain kitchens and postponed the purchase of $3,269,000 in medical equipmentwe specify by email.

We also had to cover the costs inherent in stopping certain construction sites from contractors who had to demobilize and possibly re-mobilize when the construction sites restarted.

For the mega reconstruction project of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, it is indicated that preparatory work will begin shortly, following authorization from the Council of Ministers.

Work postponed in Laval

Almost everywhere in Quebec, health establishments are having to reduce their budget for infrastructure work.

In Laval for example, the management of CISSS had to reduce the amount spent on renovations and the acquisition of equipment for 2024-2025 from $32 million to $19 million.

According to our information, the renovation of a complete psychiatric unit has been postponed, as has the renovation of the confinement rooms of the Youth Center, an obsolete building.

The purchase of solute pumps to replace obsolete equipment has also been postponed, as has the purchase of a device used for biochemistry tests.

According to the president of the Union of Nurses, Respiratory Therapists and Auxiliary Nurses of Laval (SIIIAL-CSQ), Déreck Cyr, these budgetary decisions will have a direct impact on the care of the population.

Not replacing a biochemistry device delays obtaining diagnoses and direct care, particularly for a heart attackhe adds.

In recent weeks, establishments have also suspended the posting of positions, whether for nurses, beneficiary attendants or managers.

Tuesday, Prime Minister François Legault put his two cents into the issue of the network’s projected deficit this year, of more than a billion dollars.

All we ask of those responsible for the health network is to respect their budget. For what? Because, unlike the other parties, there is no question of increasing Quebecers’ taxes.

Reactions for the Laurentians

In the Laurentians, municipal elected officials express concerns following a recent meeting with the CEO of the CISSS.

Particularly in Mont-Laurier where the mayor, Daniel Bourdon, expected an announcement in October of major work at his municipality’s hospital.

It’s November and now we don’t know when there will be an official announcement, given budgetary restrictionssays Mayor Bourdon.

The Mont-Laurier hospital is a perfect example of an infrastructure that cannot afford CAQ cuts. The hospital is completely dilapidated, and what’s more, it is regularly the busiest in Quebec, all things considered.

On Wednesday, the independent member for Saint-Jérôme, Youri Chassin, presented a motion so that the National Assembly notes the sudden postponement of infrastructure projects in the health network […] and that it underlines that an expected slowdown in infrastructure investments would be problematic [pour les Laurentides].

To the CSNPresident Caroline Senneville sees a parallel with announcements in the education network.

This slimming regime is not synonymous with budgetary rigor, as the government tries to make us believe, but rather with austerity; let’s not be fooled!