In Québec’s remote regions, it’s not unusual for people to spend hours on the road to get medical attention, wait months to access services, or simply do without care because of staff shortages. This is not normal!
It’s time for all of us to stand together and call for equality and dignity in our regions. In solidarity with our fellow citizens and colleagues of the Côte-Nord, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, the Gaspésie, the Îles de la Madeleine and the Bas-Saint-Laurent, sign the petition to demand from the government:
- accessible care and services – now,
- housing for employees,
- CPEs (non-profit childcare centres) that are part of health care institutions,
- premiums and bursaries that reflect the reality of the regions.
WHAT OUR REGIONS ARE DEMANDING
Care in their local community
Living in a remote region means choosing gorgeous landscapes and a tightknit community. But too often, it also means waiting, giving up or doing without essential care and services. Emergency departments are closing, wait times are getting longer, employees are burning out, all while the government looks the other way. This is not normal!
Fortunately, there are solutions.
Housing
The housing crisis is hitting remote regions hard, and settling there isn’t easy for health and social services employees. The result? A labour shortage and reduced services. What’s more, women on the Côte-Nord are forced to travel hundreds of kilometres to give birth. This is not normal.
To attract and retain health and social services employees, remote regions are calling on the government to build temporary housing reserved specifically for them.
Daycares
There is a serious shortage of daycare space in remote regions, and health and social services employees who want to start a family in these areas face real challenges. The result? Getting a psychological consultation in Abitibi-Témiscamingue is an obstacle course. This is not normal.
To attract and retain health and social services employees, remote regions are calling on the government to build CPEs (non-profit childcare centres) within their CISSSs and CIUSSSs.
Appropriate compensation
Moving far from loved ones and familiar surroundings is never easy. Without proper support, it can feel like a real sacrifice. It’s no surprise that distance makes it so hard to recruit and retain health and social services staff in remote regions. The result? Emergency departments are closing in Gaspésie, services are being cut and people’s health is at risk. This is not normal.
To attract and retain health and social services employees, remote regions are calling on the government to increase and extend isolation and remoteness premiums and create bursaries for potential new employees.
