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Longueuil  – The APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) has acknowledged appointments to Québec’s new cabinet and signalled its willingness to work with the minister of health, prevention and seniors, Marie-Karlynn Laflamme, and the deputy minister for mental health and social services, Camille Pellerin-Forget, on improving access to care and services for all Quebecers.

“Our public system faces challenges that are significant, but not insurmountable,” said APTS president Robert Comeau. “Political courage is what is needed. If the government chooses to protect public services, put an end to budget cuts, and stop giving more and more room to the private sector in health care, it can count on the support of professionals and technicians working in health and social services.”

As the public system continues to suffer from budget cuts, a labour shortage and excessive centralization, the APTS argues that it is crucially important to protect the budgets attributed to care and services for Quebecers. To achieve this goal, the union has called for the creation of a budgetary shield to maintain services. It also demands measures to remove the private sector from health care.

The APTS welcomed the government’s commitment to decentralizing health and social services and relying on the expertise and judgement of people providing Quebecers with care and services on a daily basis. The union has long advocated for a system in which decisions affecting the organization of services are taken as close as possible to the ground.

“The government is sending a very positive signal in giving priority to mental health services, to youth, and to people facing homelessness,” added Robert Comeau. “The premier has stated that our members’ expertise should be given even greater recognition. This is the perfect opportunity to make sure that the voice of people on the ground is heard when government policies are being developed.”

For a return to social dialogue

To defend workers’ rights, the APTS also asked the minister of labour, employment and social solidarity, Mathieu Lebrun, to repeal anti-labour laws passed by the previous legislature and to reestablish a constructive dialogue with labour unions.

“Our organization is coming to the table with concrete proposals and recognized expertise,” concluded the APTS president. “We’re ready to put our shoulder to the wheel to find long-lasting solutions to the problems currently undermining our health care system. The government can count on us to cooperate whenever its decisions are guided by the public interest and a commitment to strengthening our public system.”

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.