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Québec City – As public services continue to erode, as infrastructure is increasingly rundown and as the development of a two-tier system accelerates, the APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) strongly condemns the lack of political courage shown by the Legault government in presenting its final budget before the upcoming elections.

“Bold ideas to strengthen our public system do exist,” said APTS president Robert Comeau. “Guaranteeing accessible, high-quality public services that meet people’s needs is a political choice. The Legault government is leaving public services struggling, for lack of courage to go after the money where it can actually be found to strengthen the public system.”

“The APTS estimates that an additional 4.7% in funding is needed to keep pace with the growing needs of Quebecers, which are increasing faster than system costs. At 4.1%, the amounts announced by the finance minister will fall short. According to the union, nearly $300 million more should be invested to better support care and services, to take an aging population into account, for example.”

It’s precisely to avoid this kind of situation that the APTS has been calling for years for the introduction of a budgetary shield, a legal mechanism modelled on the Balanced Budget Act, which would ensure stable, appropriate funding for health and social services to meet the real needs of Quebecers, while taking into account inflation and changes in medical practices.

This proposal can be funded without raising taxes on the middle class or lower-income individuals. The APTS is calling for the introduction of a progressive tax on Québec fortunes exceeding $4 million, and for continuing to wean the public system off its reliance on the private sector. After taking steps to address the issue of placement agencies, it’s high time to stop outsourcing surgeries, laboratory tests and medical imaging tests to private clinics and laboratories.

With less than a year to go before the next election, the APTS is calling on the government and all political parties to make a firm commitment to bold funding for the public system, in order to ensure the sustainability of accessible, high-quality care and services that meet the needs of all Quebecers.

The APTS

The APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) represents more than 68,000 members who play a key role in ensuring that health and social services institutions run smoothly. Our members provide a wide range of services for all Quebecers, including diagnostic, rehabilitation, nutrition, psychosocial intervention, clinical support, and prevention services.