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Montréal – A demonstration involving over a hundred members of the APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) was held this morning in front of Santé Québec’s offices in downtown Montreal. Under the theme “Santé Québec is no present,” employees mobilized to denounce the implementation of the new agency, which became official on December 1.

Speaking on behalf of all areas of the city, Sabrina Caty, APTS provincial representative for the Nord-de-l’île-de-Montréal, emphasized the concerns of workers employed in health and social services. “This so-called administrative reform conceals budget cuts and extreme centralization,” she said. “Decisions have been made that threaten to make our system more fragile at a time when it is already under pressure.” 

During the demonstration, people spoke up to criticize measures such as $1.5 billion budget cuts, reduced job postings, and limits on hours of overtime. “Wall-to-wall decisions are being imposed without consulting those who keep the system going day after day. Is that really Santé Québec’s vision of a functional system?” added Caty, as participants applauded. 

Sending the government a clear message 

The demonstrators also emphasized the reform’s impact on the quality of care and the working conditions of health and social service employees, and demanded a public health system with better funding and a more human dimension. “Solutions do exist,” said Caty. “We need to offer decent working conditions, stop wasting public money on useless external services, and give priority to internal expertise.”

Wishes for the future

APTS members shared their wishes for a health care system based on solidarity and accessibility. Their statements, made during the event, reflect an urgent need to give priority to the needs of patients and the realities experienced by professionals. Local Montréal APTS teams asserted their commitment to defending the public health and social services system. Today’s demonstration was intended to remind the government that reforms must not be carried out at the expense of care, services, or the working conditions of the people who provide them.

The APTS

The APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) represents more than 65,000 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.