Quebec stands by COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health workers amid fears of staffing shortages
Global News
Premier François Legault defended the plan, arguing he was incredulous that anyone would question the idea that health-care workers who treat patients need to be vaccinated.
Quebec’s premier and its health minister on Wednesday defended their decision to impose mandatory vaccination for health-care workers, even as an opposition party and several unions urged them to push back the deadline to avoid potential service breakdowns.
As of last week, some 7,000 front-line health-care workers remained unvaccinated and could face suspension without pay after the government’s Oct. 15 deadline.
Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon held a news conference on Wednesday alongside five health-care unions, urging the government to delay the deadline to avoid a “generalized break in services.”
Health Minister Christian Dubé said last week he had asked all the regional health networks to submit a plan by Oct. 1 on how to handle a possible lack of personnel after Oct. 15, but he has yet to publicize the details.
On Wednesday, Plamondon and the union heads blasted the government for their lack of transparency, and they called on the Legault government to explain how the province would avoid service disruptions in an already understaffed and overwhelmed health-care network.
“The labour shortage is widespread throughout the health and social services network,” said Robert Comeau, interim president of the union representing professionals and technical workers in the health system.
“By suspending unvaccinated staff on Oct. 15, Premier Legault and Minister Dubé will worsen this situation and create service disruptions that will endanger the health of the population,” said Comeau, with the Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux.
Premier François Legault during question period Wednesday defended the mandatory vaccination plan, arguing he was incredulous that anyone would question the idea that health-care workers who treat patients need to be vaccinated.
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