News

Longueuil – The APTS (Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux) acknowledged the cabinet shuffle announced today by Québec’s premier and signalled its willingness to work with the new minister responsible for seniors and the status of women and the new Treasury Board president. It also noted that there is a need to provide Quebecers with better and more accessible health care and social services and to ensure better working conditions for people working in the public system, and that expectations are high in this regard.

“The government must seize this opportunity to correct persistent inequalities in public services and in the working conditions of the people providing these services,” said APTS president Robert Comeau. “The APTS is ready to cooperate with newly appointed ministers. But given the scope of the challenges we face, we will stay vigilant and maintain our demands.”

Cooperation with the minister responsible for seniors and the status of women

The APTS offered its full cooperation to Caroline Proulx, who has been appointed minister responsible for seniors and the status of women. The challenges are significant for services provided for seniors and people facing loss of autonomy, in both residential settings and home care. Priorities identified by the APTS include reducing workers’ administrative burden, recognizing their professional autonomy, and addressing growing concerns about the role of the private sector in delivering care and services.

Call for appropriate public funding

The union also took note of the appointment of France-Élaine Duranceau as president of the Treasury Board. In a context where public services are weakened by austerity measures, the APTS urged the new president to commit to a health and social services system whose funding is entirely public and is sufficient to meet Quebecers’ needs.

Finally, the APTS also highlighted the contribution of two ministers – Sonia LeBel and Sonia Bélanger – to the Québec government, and their willingness to engage in dialogue with workers’ representatives. The union hopes the ministers replacing them will maintain this cooperation to improve the services provided to 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.