Right-Shifting Quebec: Conservative Party Wins Majority in Provincial Election
Renovation at Last: $85M Found for Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital
Metro Montreal is breathing a sigh of relief as the Legault government finally unlocks funds to revamp the dilapidated Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital (HMR) this year. The Arthabaska Hotel-Dieu will also restart its work, with a by-election set for September.
The situation had become unbearable: weaknesses in the aging infrastructure serving 10% of Quebec's population were exposed after a catastrophic power outage that almost led to a disaster last week. With the government under immense pressure, François Legault signaled his intentions to locate the necessary $85 million within the current budget envelope to start the project[1].
Simultaneously, other regions in Quebec are receiving funds, with around thirty project offices for hospital expansion and infrastructure modernization set to avoid closure[2]. The Quebec government is rumored to be revising its infrastructure plan, the Quebec Infrastructure Plan (PIQ), to accommodate these new projects[3].
According to insider reports, the $19 billion envelope, initially intended for projects listed in the PIQ this year, will undergo scrutiny. This means that funds have been reallocated from other sectors, such as education, culture, or transport, to prioritize health infrastructure[4]. No projects are expected to be sacrificed in exchange, as the Legault government has found "a workable solution" by identifying specific projects where it anticipates spending less, thereby gaining "some flexibility" to divert funds to HMR[3].
The flexiblity amounts to less than $190 million, of which $85 million is earmarked for HMR to initiate the project's first phase, the construction of the parking lot[5].
The abrupt approval of HMR's expansion had earlier caused a flurry in Montreal due to the advanced deterioration of the building. However, critics were taken aback by the relatively modest budget required to commence the project[4].
The Legault government is also optimistic about acquiring additional funding from Ottawa. The new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has promised a generous investment plan for infrastructure, and Quebec's expectations are running high ahead of the federal budget[6].
Discussions have intensified in recent weeks between the Prime Minister's office, Health Minister Christian Dubé, and Jonatan Julien, head of Infrastructure. The "agreed-upon solution" will be revealed on Wednesday at the Council of Ministers[7].
As budgetary deliberations for the Ministry of Health commence today, Christian Dubé evades a challenging question-and-answer session with the opposition. Stakeholders from HMR, the foundation, and businesspeople from east Montreal are due at the National Assembly today, orchestrating pressure on the government before the meeting[7].
Time for Change
The critical HMR situation had reached a crisis point: last week, violent winds and storms Philadelphia hit this crucial infrastructure. A power outage verged on disaster, and media circulated images of water pouring from the ceiling and windows exploding. In response, François Legault promised to locate the needed funds within the current budget envelope to begin the project[1].
In Vancouver, crammed projects for the modernization of operating blocks and the expansion of emergency rooms await action in every corner of the province, such as in Mont-Laurier, La Malbaie, and Sept-Îles[8]. It appears that Quebec has identified an "equitable" solution intended to ease unrest in the east of the megalopolis and avert the delay of regional projects[8].
A rumor circulates that a planning issue with the PIQ may have led to this situation, with confirmation letters of infrastructure budgets for health establishments never having been sent out[9].
Quebec is also releasing funds to maintain the activities of project offices that can continue planning about thirty projects[9]. As a result, the Presidents of health establishments still find themselves in the dark about their infrastructure budget[9].
In addition to projects at the planning stage, Quebec initially intended to delay the schedule of four ongoing projects, including the expansion project for the Hôtel-Dieu d'Arthabaska in Victoriaville, which was not expected to receive funding in 2025-2026[10]. However, the government has rescinded the decision and will now finance the project this year[10].
Arthabaska assumes great importance to the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) since a by-election will be called in September due to the resignation of CAQ MNA Eric Lefebvre. The CAQ will face a tough challenge to maintain their stronghold, as a three-way race is taking shape between the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) and the Parti québécois, with the latter already engaged in campaigns and the PCQ leader, Eric Duhaime, confirming his candidacy to join the National Assembly last week[10].
1. Read "Government gives green light to Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital expansion" 2. Read "No money, no work: Projects stalled across Quebec"
March 26:
In light of the budget, Minister Christian Dubé created a stir by admitting that the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital expansion project had been prematurely announced.
April 10:
In response to intensifying pressure and public concerns about the hospital’s condition, a coalition in favor of the expansion project mobilizes, increasing the pressure on the Legault government [11][12]. Despite the absence of financial room in the government's budget to initiate new healthcare infrastructure projects, plans for HMR’s restoration are moving forward[11].
- The coalition in favor of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital expansion project mobilizes, urging the Legault government to prioritize health-and-wellness and policy-and-legislation, as they work towards finding additional funds for the project.
- As the Legault government grapples with budgetary constraints, the general-news mobilizes public opinion, emphasizing the need for urgent attention towards science and culture, particularly in vulnerable regions like Quebec, where projects are delayed or stalled due to a lack of funding.
- Amidst the flurry of policy-and-legislation discussions, the Legault government considers reallocating funds from sectors like education, culture, or transport, to prioritize health infrastructure in addressing the needs of hospitals like Maisonneuve-Rosemont, sparking controversies and debates in the realm of politics.
