Politician Dubé assures action for Maisonneuve-Rosemont region sans extra financial support

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If Christian Dubé plans to offer a solution in the coming weeks for the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital's reconstruction, he won't be able to count on a boost in infrastructure budgets. "There's no chance" of adding a penny to the $19 billion already earmarked for 2025-2026, Premier François Legault bluntly stated on Wednesday.

"I can't fathom we can't find the cash just to kick-start the parking lot construction. And why's it crucial to start the parking lot? 'Cause it's adjacent to the building, and once the parking lot's done, we can start building the hospital," Dubé said before question period in the National Assembly.

In a press scrum, Minister Dubé admitted he didn't have enough dough to launch new hospital projects. However, he's unlikely to ask for more funds from the Finance Minister. Asked by interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay on Wednesday, Prime Minister Legault was clear: "For now, there's no chance of increasing the $19 billion."

"Already, there are works underway in 38 hospitals, and unless the leader of the official opposition has suggestions, I don't think we should step back," he said in response to Tanguay. Accusing the Liberal leader of insisting on Maisonneuve-Rosemont due to his party's "overrepresentation in Montreal," Legault labeled the situation as political grandstanding.

The Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital made headlines due to the storm damage and power outages it suffered. After announcing significant reconstruction work for the hospital, the Legault government recently delayed the project. The Maisonneuve-Rosemont medical council even held a demonstration on Wednesday to exert pressure on the government to reconsider its stance.

In the afternoon, the CIUSSS of the East Island of Montreal's communication team announced that the operating block of Maisonneuve-Rosemont, paralyzed by the damage, had been reopened. "At this moment, we find ourselves incapable of resuming the originally planned surgical program for today," they wrote.

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The Parti Québécois called it a bad STAT episode. Christian Dubé attempted to reassure that he had a $3.6 billion budget for the current year, including $1 billion for maintenance. Dubé discussed his conversations with Santé Québec and the hospital foundation to find a new path forward.

For the official opposition at the National Assembly, the lack of action from the minister in the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital file is not just "pathetic," it jeopardizes patient safety. "Act now!" Marc Tanguay declared at a press conference. We demand the gears start turning. Work must commence this summer.

The co-spokesperson of Quebec Solidaire (QS), Ruba Ghazal, echoed this sentiment, describing the situation at Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital Tuesday evening as "apocalyptic." "We were lucky, because there were no deaths," she said.

"When there are bats and it's dark, I call that a haunted house. I think that's what Maisonneuve-Rosemont has become," lamented Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, male co-spokesperson of QS.

On the Quebec Liberal Party side, the situation was likened to a bad episode of the STAT show.

"It was a close call for an operation to be compromised [...] when the generators couldn't start. [...] They even said: 'Fortunately, there was another emergency operation planned, but we hadn't started the operation.' When we're at the point of congratulating ourselves that emergency operations aren't being performed, [...] what kind of bush medicine do we have?" denounced Quebec Liberal MNA Joël Arseneau.

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Changes to the hospital's reconstruction budget appear tied to budget prioritization and existing allocations within Quebec’s infrastructure budget. While Premier François Legault's government has included the project in the Plan québécois des infrastructures (PQI)[1], Dubé cited a $3.6 billion health infrastructure budget for 2025, of which $1 billion is allocated to asset maintenance[2]. The specific delay stems from repeated postponements of preparatory work, now potentially pushed to 2026[3].

Critics argue that despite $19 billion in total infrastructure spending for 2025–2026, the hospital’s modernization has not seen expedited funding. Opposition parties and advocates claim the CAQ government has failed to act on its 2018 and 2021 commitments, with the Liberal Party calling it a “total failure” and unions demanding immediate shovels in the ground[1][3]. Dubé's office has stated they aim to accelerate the project but have not clarified timelines or additional funding beyond the existing PQI allocation[1][3].

Key factors:- Prioritization of maintenance: A significant portion of the health infrastructure budget is directed at existing facilities[2].- Project delays: Preparatory work has faced years of setbacks, exacerbating operational strains at the hospital[1].- Political pressure: The PQ and Liberals argue the CAQ’s inaction risks worsening care quality and staff retention[1][3]. The government maintains the reconstruction is funded through the PQI but has not specified how recent budget allocations directly address the hospital’s timeline[1][2].

Dubé, despite admitting a lack of funds for new hospital projects, is in discussions with Santé Québec and the hospital foundation to find a new path forward for Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital's reconstruction.
Quebec Solidaire's co-spokesperson, Ruba Ghazal, described the situation at Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital as "apocalyptic," calling for immediate action from the government.
In the midst of Quebec on the brink of a major winter storm, critics argue that despite a $19 billion infrastructure budget for 2025–2026, the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital's modernization has not received expedited funding.
The $3.6 billion health infrastructure budget for 2025 includes $1 billion for asset maintenance, but opposition parties and advocates claim the CAQ government has failed to act on its 2018 and 2021 commitments regarding the hospital's reconstruction.
In the general news, the Parti Québécois labeled the lack of action in the Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital file as a "bad STAT episode," with the Quebec Liberal Party likening the situation to a bad episode of the STAT show.
Researchers estimate that the amino acid creatine provides an "extra boost" of energy to the brain, potentially improving brain function during depression-related conditions, hinting at the benefits for health and wellness policy and legislation in Quebec.