Pontiac MP accuses CAQ government of turning its back on Outaouais

Taylor Clark

Pontiac MP and spokesperson for the official opposition on health matters accused the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) of abandoning the Outaouais health care system and its patients after the refusal to hold a traveling parliamentary commission.

“Not only does the CAQ refuse to act, but it does not even deign to come and see the situation and listen to stakeholders in the field,” André Fortin wrote in a press release. “Once again, the CAQ turns its back on Outaouais and prefers to abandon citizens to their fate, even if it means not receiving the health care to which they are nevertheless entitled.”

For the past few months, Fortin has been utilizing the question period during Assembly sittings to address the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, about the catastrophic state of the region’s healthcare network.

In late May, Fortin decided words were not enough and wanted to bring Québec City to Outaouais to allow Dubé and those on the Committee on Health and Social Services to see for themselves the extent of the crisis in the form of a traveling parliamentary commission.

“If those public policymakers and those MNAs from other regions come to the Outaouais and witness just how dire the situation is, they cannot possibly ignore it,” said Fortin.

Yet ignored was exactly what the recent press release from Fortin conveyed, stating “the CAQ categorically refused” the request. The commission would have allowed key players in the field to propose measures to ensure retention and attraction of staff directly to decision-makers.

Fortin said the refusal confirmed the CAQ government’s “total disinterest towards the region and its citizens.”

As the press release was issued, the Minsiter responsible for the Outaouais region Mathieu Lacombe shared a clip to Facebook of Assembly proceedings where he highlighted the work that was being carried out by health care staff in his region.

“Over the past few days, I have traveled through the hospitals of Outaouais to take the pulse of the people who, every day, are there to care for our world,” said Lacombe. “Mr. President, I would like to assure you that we will everything possible to maintain and improve services to the population of Outaouais.

Photo caption: Pontiac MP André Fortin demands answers for the population of Outaouais from Minister of Health Christian Dubé during Assembly sittings.

Photo credit: Screenshot from the question period during the Assembly sittings on May 22