OUR DEMANDS

A BOLD IDEA FOR FEBUARY

Year after year, despite growing needs, funding for the public system is insufficient, unstable and unpredictable. This approach undermines planning, puts additional pressure on employees and compromises the quality and continuity of services to Quebecers. In 2026, the APTS is proposing a change of course to make health and social services non-negotiable priorities.

This requires setting up a budgetary shield, a mechanism that guarantees funding at a level that meets the real needs of Quebecers. It’s a responsible, necessary solution to ensure a public system that can fulfill its mission.

There's nothing complicated about a budgetary shield... 

It’s a law forcing the government to fund health and social services at a level that meets Quebecers’ real needs. Every year, an independent agency assesses the budgetary impact of evolving needs, taking into consideration the aging population, inflation and changes in clinical practices. The finance ministry is then required, in its budget, to provide the funding that has been found to be necessary. The result: stable, predictable and sufficient funding, which protects the public health and social services system from arbitrary cuts and austerity cycles.

Make our health a priority: it's not a luxury 

“I’m a dietitian/nutritionist working in the public system. When the government decides to sacrifice health in order to balance its budget, I can tell: people who are already vulnerable are given meals that are less varied, less appealing, and sometimes insufficient.

They’re always talking about budget discipline, but they never say anything about the malnourished people that are being abandoned. Parties that keep on jeopardizing our health and well-being won’t get my vote on October 5.”  

Noémie Bédard-Trottier, Dolbeau-Mistassini