2023-08-21 16:14:31
(Quebec) Christian Dubé might resort to closure to reach his target of adopting his vast reform by the end of the next session, in December. The Minister of Health wants the new Santé Québec agency to be “operational” by the spring of 2024.
On the first day of the resumption of the study of the imposing Bill 15, which aims to make the health and social services network more efficient, Minister Dubé refused to commit not to have recourse to the gag to adopt it, as requested by the united deputy Vincent Marissal. Although he assures that this is not his “objective” for the moment, the minister explains that he cannot rule out this option for the future.
“Of course I’d rather not need a gag, but if that’s what it takes, at some point we will. But we’re not there at all right now,” he told the show. All one morning by Patrick Masbourian, Monday morning. He essentially resumed his speech when he arrived in committee, adding that he might have recourse to this exceptional measure if the opposition delays the debates.
Christian Dubé wants Bill 15 – a brick of 300 pages and some 1,200 articles – to be adopted by the end of the parliamentary session, which ends on December 8. Moreover, parliamentarians resumed Monday the detailed study of the legislative text, three weeks before the resumption of work. Six days of study are scheduled until August 29.
“If we want Quebecers to start seeing the effect of PL15 […] it is necessary, at some point, to put a limit to this work,” pleaded Mr. Dubé at the opening of the Commission on Health and Social Services at the National Assembly. The minister is betting on the amendments he will present on Tuesday to convince the opposition to come to an agreement with him quickly.
Mr. Dubé aims to create Santé Québec in the spring of 2024. Bill 15 provides for a period of six months following its adoption to constitute this brand new Crown corporation.
A bundle of 150 amendments
Christian Dubé will file a bundle of 150 amendments on Tuesday which will modify Bill 15. There is no question of reviewing the substance of the objectives of his reform.
The proposals will notably concern clinical governance. Adjustments will also be proposed for the definition of the councils of doctors, dentists and pharmacists (CPDP) to respond to criticism from doctors who say they are excluded from “decision-making” places.
In the spring, Mr. Dubé also said he was open to reviewing certain provisions of the legislative text modifying the number of user committees in the network. It should also respond to requests from the Auditor General of Quebec, Guylaine Leclerc, who reported on the obstacles encountered in gaining access to private health organizations, such as ambulance companies.
The Minister has also announced that he will submit another batch of amendments (in addition to the 150) in mid-September. “I want that in mid-September, that all the amendments [soient] deposited. Then we will see what we have to do,” explained Mr. Dubé.
It should be remembered that the Minister of Health tabled a first series of 45 amendments at the end of May. These have not yet all been studied in committee.
Christian Dubé recalled on Monday that several articles of Bill 15 repeat provisions of the Act respecting health services and social services that his reform has just revised. According to him, of the 1200 articles of the legislative text, regarding 250 are more “robust”. These articles might be prioritized to expedite the detailed study. Negotiations will take place in this direction with the opposition.
Not so fast, says the opposition
According to the Liberal Party of Quebec, the scenario of adopting such a tough bill by the end of the session “does not hold up” and is a “bad omen” for the future.
“I don’t think it’s useful to put a finality to the thing, to say that December should be over because yes, there is work to be done and ours is to ask questions […] and to push for those who have no voice around the table,” argued Liberal MP André Fortin.
“What we want is to give ourselves the time to measure the effects of the reform, which is ambitious, and to be able to ensure that this reform […] be positive,” explained Parti Québécois MP Joël Arseneau. “So to impose a schedule at this stage, I think that’s not the way to go,” he added in a scrum.
“It’s a big pill to swallow,” said solidarity deputy Vincent Marissal on Monday, referring to the minister’s schedule. “He says himself that it will take 4, 5, 6, 7 years before reaping the benefits. Where’s the rush to get that down our throats? “, he added.
Parliamentarians devoted approximately 36 hours to the clause-by-clause study of the bill during the last parliamentary session – which excludes the special consultation stage.
By way of comparison, the reform of former Minister Gaétan Barrette (“Bill 10”) which led to the creation of the CISSSs and CIUSSSs comprised 165 articles. The Couillard government had chosen in 2015 to impose closure following 70 hours of debate because the detailed study was not progressing fast enough in its eyes.
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