Canada-Quebec Agreement on Federal Funding to Support Quebec’s Health Priorities (2023-24 to 2025-27)
Tables of contents
- Funding agreement
- Annex A – Highlights of the strategic plan
- Annex B – Summary of Quebec’s additional investments in health care
- Annex C – Summary of the act respecting health and social services information
Funding agreement
(the "Agreement")
BETWEEN
The Government of Canada, represented by the Minister of Health and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health (hereinafter “Canada”)
– and –
The Government of Quebec, represented by the Minister of Health and the Minister responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie (hereinafter “Quebec”)
Hereinafter referred to as “the Parties.”
PREAMBLE
WHEREAS, on February 7, 2023, Canada announced the Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians plan, supported by federal funding of nearly $200 billion over 10 years, including $25 billion over 10 years (announced in the 2023 federal budget), which is in addition to the 2017 federal budget funding of $11 billion over 10 years to support the provinces and territories;
WHEREAS, in its Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians plan, Canada has identified four major health priorities;
- expanding access to family health services, including in rural and remote areas;
- supporting our health workers and reducing surgery backlogs;
- improving access to quality mental health and substance use services;
- modernizing health systems with standardized health data and digital tools.
WHEREAS, Quebec will invest its entire share of federal funds in these priorities, which are also targeted in the Plan stratégique du ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) and in the Plan pour mettre en œuvre les changements nécessaires en santé, launched on March 29, 2022;
WHEREAS, on September 16, 2004, the Prime Minister of Canada and the Premier of Quebec signed a health agreement entitled Asymmetrical Federalism that respects Quebec’s jurisdiction, which allows for the existence of agreements and arrangements adapted to Quebec’s specific situation;
WHEREAS, recognizing Quebec’s jurisdiction over health and social services and the Government of Quebec’s exercise of control over the planning, organization and management of services on its territory to enable it to implement its own health plans and priorities, on March 10, 2017, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec entered into a new asymmetrical agreement based on the principles of the September 2004 asymmetrical agreement, the terms of which were stated in the Implementation Agreement concluded in September 2018;
WHEREAS, the above-mentioned agreements also recognize that the Government of Quebec will continue to report to the people of Quebec on the use of all funds earmarked for health care and will continue to collaborate with other governments in the exchange of information and best practices;
WHEREAS, Quebec’s health care system is based on the principles of universality, accessibility, comprehensiveness, portability and public administration;
WHEREAS, Quebec acknowledges the importance of developing innovations in its health care system and of collaborating with governments across Canada in order to share best practices and foster continued improvements;
WHEREAS, Quebec acknowledges the right of Indigenous peoples to receive proper and personalized health services and, in a spirit of reconciliation, it aims to foster collaboration with Indigenous peoples and support safe health service practices that take into account their cultural and historical values and realities;
WHEREAS, Quebec promotes equity in access to health care for its entire population, including English-speaking Quebecers, in accordance with applicable laws in Quebec;
WHEREAS, Quebec acknowledges the importance of supporting health data infrastructure, data collection and public reporting to improve transparency of results and to help manage public health emergencies, as well as ensuring that individuals can access their own health information, and benefit from it being shared among health care workers across all health care settings;
WHEREAS, Canada recognizes the progress made by Quebec in this area, through its Act respecting the sharing of certain health information, summarized in Annex C;
WHEREAS, Canada authorizes federal ministers to enter into agreements with the provinces and territories to facilitate the formulation, coordination and implementation of any program or policy within the mandates of federal ministers;
NOW THEREFORE, Canada and Quebec agree as follows:
1.0 Definition
The following expression, as used in the Agreement, shall have the meaning hereinafter defined:
“Agreement” means the Canada–Quebec Agreement on Federal Funding to Support Quebec’s Health Priorities (2023–2024 to 2026–2027).
“Fiscal year” means the period beginning on April 1 of one calendar year and ending on March 31 of the calendar year immediately following.
2.0 Term of agreement
2.1 This Agreement comes into effect upon the date of the last signature of the Parties and will remain in effect until March 31, 2027 (“the Term”), unless terminated in accordance with this Agreement. Funding provided under this Agreement will cover the period April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027.
2.2 This Agreement will be renewed under similar terms, subject to appropriation by Parliament, for the period 2027–2028 to 2032–2033 to ensure federal funding for this period, based on the federal commitment in Budget 2023 of $25 billion over 10 years to the Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians plan.
3.0 Objective
3.1 Canada and Quebec agree that the purpose of this Agreement is to establish the terms and conditions for the disbursement of Canada’s contributions to support the Plan stratégique 2023-2027 of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, excerpts of which are included in Annex A. Annex B presents Quebec’s additional investments of $5.6 billion over five years from Budget 2023-2024 and $3.7 billion over five years from Budget 2024-2025 to ensure the quality of care and services and to support the modernization of its health care system, including Canada’s financial contributions.
3.2 Both parties agree that Quebec will determine its priorities and be responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating the implementation of its Plan stratégique.
3.3 Canada and Quebec agree that federal funding under this agreement is intended to achieve some or all of the following objectives for Quebecers:
- timely access to high-quality family health services, including in rural and remote areas;
- access to timely, equitable, and quality mental health, substance use, and addictions services to support people’s well-being;
- access to a patient’s own electronic health information that is shared between the health professionals they consult to improve safety and quality of care, and which informs individuals on how the system is working.
3.4 Canada and Quebec agree that the funding provided in Budget 2017 for mental health, substance use and addictions is aimed at improving access to these services.
4.0 Financial provisions
4.1 The funding provided under this Agreement is in addition to and not in lieu of those that Canada currently provides under the CHT to support delivering health care services within the province.
4.2 Allocation to Quebec
4.2.1 In this Agreement, “Fiscal Year” means the period commencing on April 1 of any calendar year and terminating on March 31 of the immediately following calendar year.
4.2.2 Canada has designated the following maximum amounts to be transferred in total to all provinces and territories under this initiative based on the allocation method outlined in subsection 4.2.3 for the Term of this Agreement.
Quebec’s priorities
- $2.5 billion for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2023
- $2.5 billion for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2024
- $2.5 billion for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2025
- $2.5 billion for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2026
Budget 2017 mental health, substance use, and addictions services
- $600 million for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2023
- $600 million for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2024
- $600 million for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2025
- $600 million for the Fiscal Year beginning on April 1, 2026
4.2.3 Allocation Method
For the funding associated with Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians, annual funding will be allocated to provinces and territories on base ($5,000,000 if population is less than 100,000; $20,000,000 if population is between 100,000 and 500,000; and $50,000,000 if population is greater than 500,000) plus per capita basis. The final total amount to be paid to each jurisdiction will be calculated using the following formula: B + (F - ((N * 5,000,000) + (O * 20,000,000) + (S * 50,000,000)) x (K / L), where:
B is the base amount allocated to each province or territory based on population ($5,000,000 if population is less than 100,000; $20,000,000 if population is between 100,000 and 500,000; and $50,000,000 if population is greater than 500,000), as determined using annual population estimates on July 1st from Statistics Canada;
F is the total annual funding amount available outlined under this program;
N is the number of provinces and territories with a population less than 100,000, as determined using annual population estimates on July 1st from Statistics Canada;
O is the number of provinces and territories with a population between 100,000 and 500,000, as determined using annual population estimates on July 1st from Statistics Canada;
S is the number of provinces and territories with a population greater than 500,000, as determined using annual population estimates on July 1st from Statistics Canada;
K is the total population of Quebec, as determined using annual population estimates on July 1st from Statistics Canada; and
L is the total population of Canada, as determined using annual population estimates on July 1st from Statistics Canada.
For funds associated with Budget 2017 Mental Health, Substance Use, and Addictions Services, annual funding will be allocated to provinces and territories on a per capita basis. The per capita funding for each Fiscal Year is calculated using the following formula: F x K/L, where:
F is the annual total funding amount available under this program;
K is the total population of Quebec, as determined using the annual population estimates on July 1st from Statistics Canada; and
L is the total population of Canada, as determined using the annual population estimates on July 1st from Statistics Canada.
4.2.4 Subject to annual adjustment based on the formulas described in section 4.2.3, Quebec estimated share of the amounts will be:
| Fiscal year | Quebec’s prioritiesFootnote *(subject to annual adjustment) | Budget 2017 mental health, substance use, and addictions services estimated amount to be paid to QuebecFootnote * (subject to annual adjustment) |
|---|---|---|
2023-2024 |
$496,000,000 |
$132,800,000 |
2024-2025 |
$496,000,000 |
$132,800,000 |
2025-2026 |
$496,000,000 |
$132,800,000 |
2026-2027 |
$496,000,000 |
$132,800,000 |
5.0 Payments
5.1 Funding provided by Canada will be paid in semi-annual installments as follows:
- In 2023-2024, the first installment will be paid within approximately 30 business days of execution of this Agreement by the Parties. The second installment will also be paid within approximately 30 business days of execution of this Agreement by the Parties.
- Starting in 2024-2025, the first installment will be paid on or about April 15 of each Fiscal Year and the second installment will be paid on or about November 15 of each Fiscal Year.
- The first installment will be equal to 50% of the notional amount set out in section 4.2.4 as adjusted by section 4.2.3.
- The second installment will be equal to the balance of funding provided by Canada for the Fiscal Year as determined under sections 4.2.3 and 4.2.4.
- Canada will notify Quebec prior to the first payment of each Fiscal Year, of their notional amount. The notional amount will be based on the Statistics Canada quarterly preliminary population estimates on July 1 of the preceding Fiscal Year. Prior to the second payment, Canada will notify Quebec of the amount of the second installment as determined under sections 4.2.3 and 4.2.4.
- The sum of both installments constitutes a final payment and is not subject to any further payment once the second installment has been paid.
- Payment of Canada's funding for this Agreement is subject to an annual appropriation by the Parliament of Canada for this purpose.
5.2 In the event payments made exceed the amount to which Quebec is entitled under this Agreement, the amount of the excess is a debt due to Canada and, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Parties, Quebec shall repay the amount within sixty (60) calendar days of written notice from Canada.
6.0 Reporting and information sharing
6.1 Quebec is pursuing the objective of making health results available to the public, namely through its dashboard on the performance of the health and social services system (Tableau de bord sur la performance du réseau de la santé et des services sociaux).
6.2 Quebec agrees to ensure transparency with regard to the objectives of this Agreement, and will continue to report to the people of Quebec on the use of all funds earmarked for health care, in accordance with its own accountability practices and indicators, namely those in its Annual Management Report. The Annual Management Report describes the results achieved in relation to the objectives and commitments set out in its Plan stratégique, in accordance with sections III and V of the Public Administration Act (A-6.01).
6.3 As it has done for several years, Quebec intends to continue sharing its information, expertise and best practices in health care with other governments in Canada.
Collaboration with the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI)
6.4 Quebec will promote the use of comparable indicators to compare its health and social services with those of other provinces and territories. It will continue to collaborate with CIHI, as it has done since 2004, through service agreements, enabling Quebec to obtain comparative information on which to base improvements to its health care system and meet its own benchmarking needs.
6.5 Quebec will collaborate with CIHI’s committee in developing comparable indicators as the data becomes available and will share its data with CIHI in the following areas:
- Percentage of Quebecers who report having access to a regular family health team, family doctor or nurse practitioner, including in rural and remote areas;
- COVID-19 surgery backlog;
- Net number of new family doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners;
- Median wait times for community mental health and substance use services;
- Percentage of young people aged 12 to 25 with access to integrated mental health and addiction services;
- Percentage of Canadians with mental disorders whose mental health needs are not being met;
- Percentage of Canadians who can access their own complete health record electronically;
- Percentage of family health service providers and other health professionals (e.g. pharmacists, specialists, etc.) who can exchange patient health information electronically.
6.6 Quebec also agrees to appoint a representative to the CIHI committee and to participate in the development of additional indicators meeting its needs.
7.0 Communications
7.1 In the spirit of transparency and open government, Canada will make this Agreement, including any amendments, publicly available on a Government of Canada website.
7.2 Quebec will make publicly available, clearly identified on its website, this Agreement, including any amendments.
7.3 Canada, with prior notice to Quebec, may incorporate, accurately referencing the source, any part of publicly released reports containing data and information or any part of evaluation and audit reports made public by Quebec into any public report that Canada may prepare for its own purposes, including any reports to the Parliament of Canada or reports that may be made public.
7.4 Canada reserves the right to conduct public communications, announcements, events, outreach and promotional activities about this Agreement. Canada agrees to give Quebec 10 days advance notice and advance copies of public communications related to the signing of this Agreement.
7.5 Quebec reserves the right to conduct public communications, announcements, events, outreach and promotional activities about this Agreement. Quebec agrees to give Canada 10 days advance notice and advance copies of public communications related to the signing of this Agreement.
8.0 Dispute resolution
8.1 Canada and Quebec are committed to working together and avoiding disputes through government-to-government information sharing, advance notice, early consultation, and discussions and clarifications to resolve issues as they arise.
8.2 If a dispute arises between the Parties with respect to the interpretation and/or implementation of any of the terms of this Agreement, either Party may notify the other in writing of its concerns. Upon receipt of such notice, Canada and Quebec will seek to resolve the issue raised in a manner deemed appropriate by the designated officials. In the event of a dispute that cannot be resolved by the designated officials, the matter will be referred first to the Deputy Ministers of Health of Quebec and Canada and, if it cannot be resolved by them, to the Ministers of Health of Quebec and Canada.
9.0 Amendment of the agreement
9.1 The Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual written consent of the Parties. Any amendment will become effective on the date agreed to by the Parties. Neither Canada nor Quebec may terminate this Agreement unless it is demonstrated that the Agreement is not being respected by the other Party. In this case, at least 12 months written notice must be given to the other Party of the intention to terminate the Agreement.
10.0 Disclaimer
10.1 The failure or delay by a Party to exercise any of its rights, powers or remedies under this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such rights, powers or remedies. Any waiver by either Party of any of its rights, powers or remedies under this Agreement must be in writing, and no such waiver shall constitute a continuing waiver, unless explicitly stated.
11.0 General information
11.1 This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the applicable laws of Quebec.
11.2 No member of the House of Commons or Senate of Canada or of the National Assembly of Quebec may be a Party to this Agreement, in whole or in part, of any contract or commission or derive any benefit therefrom.
11.3 If, for any reason, any provision of this Agreement which is not a fundamental term of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such provision shall be deemed severable and stricken from this Agreement, but all other terms and conditions of this Agreement shall continue to be valid and enforceable.
11.4 Either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time if the terms are not respected by giving at least 12 months written notice of intention to terminate.
11.5 As of the effective date of termination of this Agreement, Canada shall have no obligation to make any further payments.
12.0 Notice
12.1 Any notice, information, or document provided for under this Agreement will be deemed to have been given if delivered or sent by letter, postage or other charges prepaid. Any notice provided is received in delivery; and, except in periods of postal disruption, any notice mailed by post will be deemed to have been received eight calendar days after being mailed.
The address to be used for communications or notices to Canada shall be as follows:
Health Canada
70 Colombine Driveway
Brooke Claxton Building
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9
Email : Jocelyne.Voisin@hc-sc.gc.ca
12.2 The address to be used for communications or notices to Quebec shall be as follows:
Department of Health and Social Services
1075 Sainte-Foy Road
Québec, Quebec G1S 2M1
Email : Daniel.Desharnais@msss.gouv.qc.ca
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the authorized representatives of Canada and Quebec have signed three copies of this Agreement.
SIGNED on behalf of Canada by the Minister of Health
The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health
SIGNED on behalf of Canada by the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
SIGNED on behalf of Quebec by the Minister of Health
Christian Dubé, Minister of Health
SIGNED on behalf of Quebec by the Minister Responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie
Jean-François Roberge, Minister Responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie
Annex A - Highlights of the strategic plan
The Plan stratégique 2023–2027 of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS), tabled in November 2023, sets out the priorities at the heart of the actions of the Ministry and its network during this period, and which will help to meet the needs of Quebecers. The Plan stratégique 2023–2027 was developed in a context where the health and social services system is facing numerous challenges that are putting pressure on health and social services workers and that are affecting user access to care and services.
Prior to presenting its Plan stratégique, Quebec was already taking action to address a number of issues through its Plan pour mettre en œuvre les changements nécessaires en santé (Plan santé), which proposes a vision of the health care system centred on the user experience and focused on accessibility, quality and value of care.
With the same major orientations, the Plan stratégique 2023–2027 is a continuation of the Plan santé, in order to pursue Quebec’s efforts to improve the quality of life, well-being and health of the people of Quebec. It helps focus Quebec’s efforts, coordinate its operations and amplify the scope of its actions and priorities. An overview table summarizes the measures and objectives.
Focus area 1 – A more humane organization of work
The care and services provided by the Network of Health and Social Services (RSSS) are based primarily on the daily work of thousands of people who are committed to the health and well-being of the people of Quebec. As such, it is essential to take care of the network’s staff in the same way as it takes care of its users. To achieve this, the work organization must be adapted to ensure the best possible balance between staff needs and access to, and quality of, care and services.
Guideline 1: Become an employer of choice
| Objectives | Indicators | Target 2023–2024 |
Target 2024–2025 |
Target 2025–2026 |
Target 2026–2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1.1 Improve job satisfaction among the Ministry’s staff and its network |
1. 0–12 month retention rate for new hires in the network |
72.2% |
73.5% |
74.9% |
76.3% |
2.Percentage of health and social services network employees who recommend their establishment as an employer |
Establishment of the initial measurement |
+ 1% compared with the initial measurement |
+ 2.5% compared with the initial measurement |
+ 4.5% compared with the initial measurement |
|
3.MSSS employee experience satisfaction rate |
85% |
86% |
86% |
88% |
|
1.2 Support the network’s workforce |
4.Number of hours worked by employees of staffing agencies and independent workers |
19.6 M |
18.2 M |
10.9 M |
4.2 M |
1.3 Raise awareness among network staff about Indigenous realities |
5.Percentage of employees trained in Indigenous issues |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
1.4 Contribute to the government’s sustainable development efforts |
6.Percentage of targets met in the 2023–2028 sustainable development action plan |
80% |
82% |
85% |
85% |
Focus area 2 – A healthy population
Health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not just the absence of disease. The combination of a high prevalence of chronic diseases among the people of Quebec and the deterioration of certain lifestyle habits observed in recent years and amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrates the need to step up prevention and promotion efforts to ensure optimal health for Quebecers. The same applies to the resumption of certain activities that slowed down during the pandemic, such as vaccination in schools and screening for certain cancers, which will enable action upstream of certain health problems.
Guideline 2: Be proactive and take preventive action
| Objectives | Indicators | Target 2023–2024 |
Target 2024–2025 |
Target 2025–2026 |
Target 2026–2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.1 Promote taking responsibility for one’s own health |
7. Proportion of daily and occasional smokers |
11.5% |
10.0% |
9.5% |
9.0% |
8. Percentage of high school students meeting recommendations for physical activity during recreational activities and transportation.Footnote * |
30% |
– |
32% |
– |
|
2.2 Provide the population with optimal protection against preventable diseases |
9. Proportion of Secondary III students who are fully vaccinated |
65% |
70% |
75% |
80% |
2.3 Reduce cancer-related mortality |
10. Age-standardized cancer mortality rate |
-3% from initial measurement |
-5% from initial measurement |
-6% from initial measurement |
-7% from initial measurement |
11. Coverage rate for colorectal cancer screening by fecal occult blood test (FOBT) |
38% |
40% |
42% |
44% |
|
12. Percentage of patients treated with oncological surgery within 28 days |
65% |
69% |
75% |
80% |
|
Focus area 3 – Timely access to care and services
Every person living in Quebec must have access to a health and social services professional when they need one. This priority requires continued efforts to improve the organization of health care and services to ensure optimal care for each individual’s needs, throughout the entire care pathway.
Guideline 3: Provide a patient experience centred on accessibility and quality
| Objectives | Indicators | Target 2023–2024 |
Target 2024–2025 |
Target 2025–2026 |
Target 2026–2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.1 Promote optimum development for youth |
13. Number of children whose screening was carried out through the Agir tôt platform |
8,688 |
9,556 |
10,512 |
11,563 |
14. Percentage of first Youth Protection evaluation interventions completed within 14 days |
50% |
53% |
57% |
60% |
|
3.2 Rapid access to mental health services |
15. Proportion of users who received mental health care and services within the prescribed time frame |
60% |
65% |
70% |
75% |
3.3 Promote access to home support |
16. Total number of people receiving home support services |
387,807 |
398,017 |
404,409 |
410,802 |
17. Number of people waiting for their first home support service |
17,478 |
15,730 |
14,157 |
12,741 |
|
18. Number of hours of long-term, short-term and palliative home support services provided in the home |
32.2 M |
34.7 M |
37.5 M |
40.4 M |
|
3.4 Improve access to front-line and local services |
19. Percentage of people who consulted a health care provider within 36 hours in medical clinics |
20% |
25% |
30% |
30% |
20. Percentage of users who had access to a CLSC service within the time frame established by prioritization |
71% |
72% |
73% |
74% |
|
21. Percentage of people assigned to a front-line care provider or team |
83% |
85% |
87% |
90% |
|
3.5 Improve access to emergency services |
22. Average emergency room turnaround time for all clients |
165 minutes |
125 minutes |
105 minutes |
90 minutes |
23. Average length of stay on a stretcher |
17 hours |
16 hours |
15 hours |
14 hours |
|
3.6 Improve access to specialized services |
24. Percentage of requests for specialist medical consultations for which wait times have been exceeded |
50% |
35% |
25% |
15% |
25. Number of surgical requests pending for more than one year |
7,600 |
2,300 |
1,500 |
1,000 |
Annex B – Summary of Quebec’s additional investments in health care, within the framework of the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 budgets
Here is a summary of the actions and financial impacts planned in the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 budgets. In Budget 2023-2024, the Government of Quebec invested nearly $5.6 billion over five years (2023–2024 to 2027–2028) to make the health care system more accessible, efficient and flexible for the public, in a number of priority areas.
In Budget 2024-2025, the Government is continuing its efforts in health and is providing an additional amount of nearly $3.7 billion over five years, starting in 2024-2025, out of an annual budget totalling $61.9 billion, to support a humane and effective organization of health care and social services, including:
- $1.8 billion to improve access to care and services and to increase hospital fluidity;
- $1.1 billion to maintain quality care and services for seniors;
- $738 million to consolidate social services for youth and vulnerable people.
Quebec’s estimated total share in the bilateral agreements’ funding from the Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians federal plan is $6.7 billion over five years, from 2023–2024 to 2032-2033.
Quebec included the federal investments announced on February 7, 2023, in its fiscal framework. The health investments in the 2023 and 2024 Quebec budgets factor in these additional federal funds, which will make it possible to expedite the investments in Quebec’s health care system.
Access to family health teams
Every Quebecer who so wishes should be able to receive care from a group of family doctors for non-urgent problems and be able to consult a health professional. To this end, $710.3 million over five years has been earmarked to improve health care and services as follows:
- $395 million to open new front-line access clinics and add specialized nurse practitioners and other front-line professionals;
- $146.2 million to develop the “Votre Santé” platform to facilitate appointment booking;
- $125 million to set up a helicopter medical transport service;
- $44.1 million to improve care for patients suffering from rare or chronic diseases.
Tracking data for this measure is available to Quebecers at Tableau de bord – Performance du Réseau de la santé et des services sociaux, as well as through indicator 15 in the Plan stratégique 2023–2027 of the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Quebecers will be able to measure its progress through the Annual Management Reports.
Reducing surgical and diagnostic backlogs
The health crisis in Quebec and load shedding in hospitals led to delays in surgeries. The Plan santé sets out the initiatives Quebec is taking to reduce the backlog in the province. The main specialties targeted are general surgery, vascular surgery, gastroenterology, gynecology and ophthalmology.
Thus, more than $2.2 billion over five years has been allocated to adapt the health sector to the post-pandemic reality, including the reduction of backlogs, as follows:
- $1.4 billion to sustain the new approach developed for vaccination and screening by expanding its scope to other front-line services;
- $521.5 million to update the emergency measures plan and procure personal protective equipment;
This measure is tracked by indicator 25 of the Plan stratégique 2023–2027 du ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. Quebecers will be able to assess its progress through the Annual Management Reports.
Digital transformation
The information technology modernization plan includes the rollout of a digital health record (DSN), which will provide a user-friendly, unified interface between patients and health care professionals, first to be showcased in two facilities and then rolled out to the entire network.
As part of the 2024–2025 Budget, the Government of Quebec has earmarked an additional $902.5 million over five years (which represent $180.5 million annually) to accelerate the digital shift in the health care network.
The digital transformation project includes the harmonization of good professional practice and evidence-based clinical tools. The DSN will eventually become the main tool for health and social services workers as well as a tool for providing digital services to users.
It will enable the use of data to improve user health, thereby providing tools for collaborative precision and predictive medicine.
The modernization plan will be made possible by Bill 3, An Act respecting health and social services information and amending various legislative provisions, among other things, which will enable the implementation of a DSN accessible to every citizen and every facility. A summary of this bill is attached in Annex C.
Mental health and addiction
A series of changes has been proposed to take action on the foundations of the system as well as on access to and quality of services, including in mental health, with the Plan d’action interministériel en santé mentale 2022–2026, backed by an investment of $1.15 billion over five years.
A total of $565.4 million over five years has also been earmarked to enhance mental health and social services:
- $194 million to enhance support for community organizations working in the health and social services sector;
- $211.2 million to expand mental health, homelessness and addiction services;
- $50 million to create new respite spaces for parents of disabled children;
- $110.2 million to strengthen care and services for troubled youth, in line with the recommendations of the Special Commission on the Rights of the Child and Youth Protection.
Tracking data for this measure is available to Quebecers at Tableau de bord – Performance du Réseau de la santé et des services sociaux, as well as through indicator 15 in the Plan stratégique 2023–2027 of the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Quebecers will be able to measure its progress through the Annual Management Reports.
Annex C – Summary of the act respecting health and social services information
The Act respecting health and social services information (hereinafter the Act) was passed on April 4, 2023, and is scheduled to come into force in 2024. Its aim is to protect information while optimizing its use. In addition, it provides a framework for the sharing of health information between health care providers and organizations, which could improve the coordination of care and the transmission of relevant information.
In this way, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) ensures that optimal conditions are in place for the coordination of health and social services information within the health and social services system (RSSS) in order to:
- protect personal information while improving the quality of services to the public by simplifying the circulation of information of the people concerned, along the entire care and services pathway (the data will follow the person, and they will no longer have to repeat their history);
- promote a more fluid and secure flow of health and social services information based on well-established guidelines;
- enable efficient management of the health and social services system, based on knowledge of the public’s needs, and document service use;
- create added value for users of care and services, with a traceability system for consultations, enabling them to consult their own information and see who has consulted it.
The Act also establishes a national health information repository. The new system will make it easier for people to access services and take ownership of their health information, all in a secure environment. The rollout of the national health information repository will ultimately represent a substantial modernization of the technological architecture, in addition to optimizing clinical processes and enhancing the patient experience. The digital health record, the cornerstone of the national health information repository, has begun its first phase of rollout at two showcase sites.
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