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Petition for equitable access to health care in the regions | The Parti Québécois wants to improve the attraction of health care employees to the regions
October 7, 2025
Québec City – The MNA for the Îles-de-la-Madeleine and spokesperson for health and social services, Joël Arseneau, insists that health and social services in the regions are essential for the vitality of Québec towns and villages. “Having equitable public services is at the heart of regional vitality and attractiveness,” said Mr. Arseneau. “If we want the regions to attract and retain employees, we need to give them the resources to welcome these workers.”
Today, the Parti Québécois tabled a petition with 4,984 signatures, calling on the government to take action to strengthen the attraction and retention of health care workers in the regions. This petition shows the importance of creating the right conditions for regions to attract and retain the personnel required to ensure the maintenance and continuity of services for all. “The labour shortage is a major issue, particularly in the regions, but it’s not insurmountable,” said Mr. Arseneau. “That’s why we successfully supported mobilization efforts to maintain services in Rivière-Rouge and Fortierville, and continue to do so today in Pohénégamook, Trois-Pistoles and elsewhere in the regions. Solutions exist, but it takes political will to implement them in a coherent and sustainable way.
For the Parti Québécois, it’s essential that Quebecers have access to local health care services. To accomplish this, we need to take action on housing conditions, public services and retention measures. “Repeated service breaks, reduced opening hours and services, patients being transferred to major centres: it’s all unacceptable,” said the MNA for the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. “The quality and availability of these services shouldn’t depend on Quebecers’ postal code.”
“What we’re tabling today is much more than just a petition: it’s a rallying cry,” said APTS president Robert Comeau. “What we’re seeing right now is that the regions are being neglected by the government, and we find that unacceptable. With these 5,000 signatures, we’re demanding concrete, lasting solutions not only to retain staff, but also to ensure the next generation of professionals is in place.”
Source : Parti Québécois
