Parti Québécois leader proposes abolishing Santé Québec

Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has pledged to abolish Santé Québec if his party is elected. He characterized the state-owned corporation as a ‘bureaucratic monster’ and argued that its rapid growth, which saw employment rise from 760 to 1,300 in two years, has led to excessive bureaucracy. The PQ proposes reinvesting savings from the corporation into frontline care through local health clinics (CLSCs) to reduce surgery waitlists.

Health Minister Sonia Bélanger criticized the proposal as ‘simplistic’ and ‘almost dishonest,’ defending the young Crown corporation for consolidating 30 structures and facilitating workforce mobility.

Separately, the Parti Québécois has ousted Vincent Marissal from the party just two days after announcing him as a candidate for the Taschereau riding. St-Pierre Plamondon cited a zero-tolerance approach to ethics following allegations that Marissal used a National Assembly housing allowance to facilitate a home-exchange arrangement for free accommodation abroad. While no money reportedly changed hands, the party determined the arrangement provided an improper personal financial benefit derived from taxpayer funds.