Montreal, 30 July 2025 — The Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec–FIQ strongly condemns the remarks made by Luc Mathieu, President of the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ), who referred to alleged “shortcomings” in nurses’ assessments of patients’ conditions. While the tragic situations are understandably emotional, it is unacceptable to blame frontline workers for the systemic failures in an overwhelmed healthcare network.

“The issue isn’t nurses’ assessments. It’s the collapse of the conditions that support these assessments. When a nurse is responsible for 20 patients in an ER hallway, even Florence Nightingale wouldn’t manage,” said Julie Bouchard, FIQ President.

Nurses are the first to demand safe, high-quality care. But they are working in environments where the impossible has become the norm: overwhelming workloads, staff shortages, service disruptions, mandatory overtime, high turnover, understaffed teams, and more.

“We welcome the continuing education initiatives announced by the OIIQ,” added Bouchard. “But you can’t train better in a vacuum. Without minimum working conditions, we’re headed for disaster. And that disaster is already here.”

The FIQ rejects the idea that nurses aren’t doing their jobs properly. The problem is that the system no longer allows them to do it under acceptable conditions. Too often, they are sent to the front lines without support, resources or rest.

“Luc Mathieu speaks of ‘shortcomings’ in patient assessment, but fails to mention that the ER at Anna-Laberge Hospital was operating at 200% capacity. Even an experienced nurse wouldn’t have had the time to redo an assessment under those conditions. When there’s a fire, you don’t blame the firefighters for running out of water. You ask what resources they were given to put out the flames,” Bouchard concluded.

The FIQ reminds the public that its members are qualified, dedicated professionals with essential clinical expertise. Enough with placing the blame on the shoulders of those who are holding the system together. It’s time for the government and healthcare institutions to take responsibility.