Dube says his health reform won't make a 'big bang,' but critics are worried

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé has promised to "shake up the pillars of the temple" with his new health reform -- but "without making a Big Bang."

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé has promised to "shake up the pillars of the temple" with his new health reform -- but "without making a Big Bang."

After crafting his health reform bill over 2023, the minister will lay the foundations for the new Santé Québec Crown corporation in 2024.

But even with "top guns" at the helm, many observers foresee considerable turbulence.

The "Act to make the health and social services system more efficient" was passed under a gag order in the early hours of Dec. 9. The voluminous Bill 15, which contained 1,080 articles at the time of tabling, ended up with over 1,600 articles, the result of unfinished analytical work despite nearly 300 hours spent in parliamentary committee.

Although Dubé has repeatedly stated that his reengineering of the network will improve both access to care and working conditions for professionals, Quebecers shouldn't expect immediate the effects.

In fact, during the vote on the adoption of Bill 15, the minister made a point of reassuring network personnel, saying that he wanted to carry out the transformation "transparently," "cautiously," and at a speed that suited them.

"I think we have to realize how often reforms can be a success, and how often they can be a lesser success," he said.