Take to the Streets: Another Year of Protests Against Private Healthcare in Quebec
Demonstrators Voice Opposition to Private Sector During Discussion Event
For the second consecutive year, protests against private healthcare in Quebec took center stage on Thursday, during the Premier en santé colloquium in Montreal. The lively demonstration, led by union and community organizations, voiced their displeasure with the increasing role of the private sector in healthcare, shouting, "No profit on illness!"
Approximately twenty protesters, equipped with whistles and waving a large banner denouncing the profiteering of illness, came from numerous organizations, such as the Montreal Metropolitan Central Council of the National Trade Union Confederation (CCMM-CSN).
Bertrand Guibord, the president of the union, didn't mince his words, lambasting the "exclusive access" of Geneviève Biron, the president and CEO of Santé Québec. "This event embodies everything that's wrong with healthcare today - an industry elite gathering without public participation," Guibord argued, adding that the cost of entry is prohibitive for the average citizen and community groups.
Guibord also lashed out at the growing influence of the private sector in healthcare, reminding listeners that Biron hails from that very sector. He emphasized the government's unfettered ability to dismantle the public system built over decades.
Google This:
- Check out the College of Physicians' call to halt the privatization of healthcare immediately.
- Understand how the private sector could cost taxpayers more than $6 billion in 2023-2024.
When Santé Québec was asked for a response, they acknowledged the right to protest and committed to providing more accessible, efficient, and effective care and services to the population. They further affirmed their dedication to strengthening the Quebec public health and social services network.
As for the organizers of the Premier en santé colloquium, they refrained from commenting on the protest. This collaborative event, which continues through Friday, invites a variety of speakers from the health field, as well as personalities from different backgrounds, such as Catherine Fournier, the mayor of Longueuil, and Fady Dagher, the chief of the Montreal Police Service.
Last year, protests by the CSN interrupted the opening speech given by the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé. "No profit on illness," they cried.
On the Horizon:
- Geneviève Biron: Not Promising a "Miracle," but "Tangible Results" in Healthcare
- Quebec Agrees with UQ for a Family Medicine Program, Allocating $350,000
- The Growing Gap in Wealth Between Quebecers and Ontarians: An Analysis
Stay tuned for more videos on these topics.
- Engage in a discussion about the anticipated speech by Geneviève Biron, the president and CEO of Santé Québec, where she promises "tangible results" in healthcare. This conversation could revolve around the perspective of medical-conditions and health-and-wellness.
- Research global news on the increasing gap in wealth between Quebecers and Ontarians, paying attention to possible political implications and its impact on housing opportunities for everyone.
- Delve into scientific studies and articles to understand the potential long-term costs of private sector involvement in healthcare, and compare these costs to publicly funded healthcare models. This could also involve analyzing the effects of such costs on general-news topics such as taxes, economy, and overall well-being of the population.
