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Longueuil – As part of the 2026 Agenda edition of its campaign A strong public system: what if we dared to do it?, the APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) has unveiled its theme for May: “Give CLCSs a chance: what if we dared to do it?” After proposing in April a reduction in the private sector’s role in health care to make better use of public funds, the APTS maintains that it’s critical to rebuild strong, accessible, community-based primary care.

Intended as an entry point to the health care system, CLSCs were meant to provide comprehensive, ongoing care through local, multidisciplinary teams. But this model was gradually replaced by family medicine groups (FMGs) — largely private structures that are highly subsidized by the government — and an increased use of the private sector. The result is fragmented primary care that’s less accessible and less coordinated.

“The local, public model was abandoned, even though it had everything required to succeed,” said APTS president Robert Comeau. “Today, CLSCs no longer have the resources or the mandate to effectively play their role, and front-line services are suffering as a result. If we want an accessible, effective health care system, we have to restore the resources CLSCs need to act.”

Weakened primary care, with real consequences

The undermining of CLSCs has a concrete impact on the health and well-being of Quebecers. Essential services such as mental health and home care are less accessible in the public system, increasing pressure on emergency departments and fragmenting the care and services continuum. At the same time, resources are increasingly drawn to the private sector, without increasing in the system’s capacity, in a zero-sum game that is emptying out the public system.

“In barely six years, CLSCs lost 75% of their psychological consultation hours to FMGs, as professionals are essentially loaned out to these clinics while remaining government employees. And while FMGs are generating profits from public funds, wait times are getting longer, cases are becoming more complex, teams are under constant pressure and prevention is sacrificed.”

In May: restore the central role of CLSCs

Québec’s policy on primary care and services (Politique gouvernementale sur les soins et services de première ligne) released on March 27, 2026 reflects an intention to restore the central role of CLSCs, which is in line with the views of 91% of Quebecers. While this intention is commendable — and suggests that the government has recognized the limitations of the current model — the policy must be backed by the necessary resources to be credible, otherwise CLSCs will be relegated to the role of access point to the private sector, rather than once again becoming true settings for care and services. To improve access to services and strengthen primary care, the APTS proposes restoring their means to fully carry out their role by:

·       making them the entry point to the system and having them coordinate care and services;

·       strengthening their role in home care, mental health and prevention;

·       giving them the human, material and clinical resources they need;

·       improving working conditions to stabilize their teams;

·       reinvesting funds currently allocated to the private sector in the public system.

“Strong front-line services are the key to a functioning system,” said Robert Comeau. “Restoring CLSCs to their rightful place means choosing local services, prevention and continuity of care. They’re also essential to guaranteeing accessible, equitable services to 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.