August 27, 2022

With less than 24 hours before the election campaign begins, the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec has made its main demands. The fast adoption of a law on safe healthcare professional-to-patient ratios is a focal point of the FIQ’s demands in light of the next election campaign. The 76,000 healthcare professionals who practice their profession in a health network that is in constant decline, want the next government to take the necessary measures to ensure the provision of all the care and services the population should rightfully expect.  

The FIQ demands that the political parties up for election clearly state their commitment to implementing a law on ratios to ensure quality public services. “Ratios are a structural measure that will enable us to catch our breath. Safe healthcare professional-to-patient ratios are a required standard that is applicable everywhere to ensure that there are competent, fully-staffed teams at all times. This law would give the push needed to attract and retain healthcare professionals in the public health network,” said Julie Bouchard, FIQ President.

“The emergency departments are still overcrowded. The staff is still overworked. We have unfortunately been observing this for far too long. Quebec deserves a courageous government that has the will to put this law in place so that we can finally have stimulating working conditions. True work-family-personal life balance would bring workers back to the public network who left for the private. The public network is in dire need of this change,” said Ms. Bouchard.

“We say it on every platform: MOT and poor working conditions push many healthcare professionals to quit or leave the public network. A law that makes ratios a requirement would help to resolve the issue of mandatory overtime and promote staff attraction and retention.  It is also an excellent way to put an end to the indecent usage of private employment agencies. With a law on ratios, the next government will be able to offer safe, quality care to the population,” explained FIQ President Julie Bouchard.

Additional important election issues

The FIQ believes that it is necessary to create more places in early childhood education. “To implement ratios, you need healthcare professionals who can work based on their preferred availability. The shortage of places in early childhood education forces healthcare professionals to reduce their availability, and even postpone their return to work after a parental leave. Having children should not be an obstacle to financial independence for women. Parties should have a plan and clear commitments to increase the number of places in the short-term, not in five years time,” said the FIQ President.

Parties should also commit to fighting against systemic racism. Our society, like the health and social services network, must be egalitarian and include everyone, regardless of their race. “As we see it, our politicians must first acknowledge the existence of systemic racism. It’s absolutely necessary in order to achieve a more just and inclusive society,” stated Ms. Bouchard.

Finally, one of the biggest current and future challenges we face is the fight against climate change. “There’s one catastrophe after another. Poor air quality and global warming have a serious impact on human health. If we do nothing, the situation will just worsen faster. Political parties must make clear, strong commitments that can be implemented quickly to stop global warming and encourage community resilience,” concluded Julie Bouchard.

To see the FIQ’s demands for the election campaign, click on this link.