In the context of the current election campaign, the traditional political parties are offering us tax cuts. However, a significant part of government revenue goes into financing our health and social system, which requires massive reinvestments. Is this really what Quebecers need? Of course not!

Quebec’s infrastructure deficit has doubled from 2015 to 2022, rising from $15.1 billion to $30.6 billion. When do serious accidents happen at this speed? How is it possible that iron wire was laid around the brick walls of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital to prevent the masonry from collapsing? At the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, a wall was in danger of collapsing next to the old stable, forcing the evacuation of staff working in that part of the building. According to the government, $1.4 billion is missing to make up the health network infrastructure deficit, while several experts agree that it is actually more than $5 billion. Tell me, do you really need to be promised tax cuts by politicians who are primarily interested in their own re-election?

But what about the health and social care workforce, which not so long ago was described as essential by the Prime Minister?

According to the latest data from the Health and Social Services Network Performance Dashboard, 82,677 people are currently absent from the network for all reasons combined. Also, according to Statistics Canada, there are more than 20,000 job openings in Quebec’s healthcare sector, one of the areas hit hardest by labor shortages. In the last five years we have left thousands of workers who can no longer take it. We find that 21,000 people are waiting for mental health services, while the average wait time in the emergency department is 17 hours 51 minutes. This is unacceptable.

If, as he says, Christian Dubé wants the healthcare network to become the employer of choice in Quebec, it will certainly require massive investment Iinfrastructure and by improving the working conditions of employees in the public network.

Let’s hope Quebec voters will remember that unfortunately the $100 tax cut won’t help improve our healthcare system, which badly needs it. Let’s not forget that the care itself is in jeopardy, and in the very short term.

Maxime Ste Marie

Chairman of the CUPE Provincial Social Affairs Council

Pierre Guy Sylvestre

CUPE economist