Minister Christian Dubé is giving himself three years to abolish the use of private agencies in the sector in the health network.
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Mr. Dubé tabled his Bill 10 on Wednesday to wean the health network, which relies more and more on the independent workforce.
A timetable presented during a technical briefing explains that the “urban sectors” will have to put an end to their agreements by next year. The “adjoining sectors” will have to do the same in 2025, then the remote sectors in 2026.
However, many details remain to be settled by regulation, including the sectors specifically targeted by the timetable.
Quebec has several objectives with its bill. The government will now be able to impose a maximum hourly rate per job title, while these have increased by 62% since 2016.
The Ministry of Health (MSSS) can also decide in which sectors an establishment can do business with a private agency. Ditto for the extension of agreements already in progress.
Quebec is also giving itself investigative powers as well as administrative and penal sanctions to enforce these new rules. Fines for a legal entity may go up to $75,000 for a first offence, and up to $150,000 in the event of a repeat offence.
The use of agencies is exploding
Figures released by Quebec on Wednesday show that the use of private agencies has exploded since 2016.
From 4.8 million hours, the use of independent labor has increased to 14.8 million in 2022. In terms of costs, the envelope has increased from $200 million to $960 million, in six years.
The presence of employees of private agencies leads to inequity in working conditions, it is argued in Quebec.
Just over 11,000 “full-time equivalents” work for private agencies, according to the MSSS.
Quebec estimates, however, that its needs amount to approximately 120,000 workers in the health network for the next five years.
More details will follow…