(Laval) The day after the publication of an imposing investigative report of nearly 200 pages on the carnage that occurred in CHSLDs at the start of the pandemic, Prime Minister François Legault recognizes “that more accountability is needed from top to bottom”.
Posted at 3:34 p.m.
This is what the Prime Minister replied at a press conference Tuesday in Laval, where he was questioned about his government’s share of responsibility after the release of the report by coroner Géhane Kamel.
Accountability, explained François Legault, “it starts with the Prime Minister, it continues with the ministers, deputy ministers and managers in the networks”, that is to say “the CEOs of the CIUSSs and CISSS”.
In her inquest report, coroner Géhane Kamel wrote that the government should in particular do a retrospective on “the hierarchy of decisions, the agility of the health system in times of crisis, the understanding and execution of responsibilities within the Ministries of Health, Seniors and Caregivers as well as within the CIUSSS and CISSS”.
Mr. Legault defended himself by indicating that the “Prime Minister and the Minister of Health cannot begin to manage what is happening in all health establishments in Quebec”, before adding that “when someone does not manage well, you have to change the manager”.
Coroner Kamel’s report claimed the first victim on Tuesday when the President and CEO of the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’île-de-Montréal, where the CHSLD Herron was located, Lynne McVey, announced that she will step down at the end of his term next July.
The coroner’s inquest focused on the deaths of 53 people in seven of the CHSLDs most affected by the health crisis, including CHSLD Herron.
During Tuesday afternoon’s press conference, in the presence of the Mayor of Laval, Stéphane Boyer, and the Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette, François Legault indicated “that it was important that the CEOs of the CIUSSs and CISSS are monitoring what is happening and informing the government”, but, he added, “this was not the case with the CHSLD Herron”.
Skeete ‘comfortable’ with Bill 96
Before meeting the Mayor of Laval, the Prime Minister visited the MP for Sainte-Rose in his riding.
Christopher Skeete, who is also the Premier’s parliamentary assistant for relations with English-speaking Quebecers, said he was “very comfortable with his party’s position on Bill 96”.
He considers that the bill, which is sowing controversy in certain English-speaking circles, is a “balanced and balanced” proposal.
“It’s just a matter of having a calm discussion”, because “it’s a very emotional subject” indicated the deputy.
Asked what he thought of members of the English-speaking community who gathered in front of Dawson College in Montreal to demonstrate against Bill 96 last Saturday, he replied: “I think there is , as in any group, people who have positions a little more drastic than others. We see the same thing on the other side, there are francophones who think that Bill 96 does not go far enough, that it could go much further. Me, I try not to rely too much on extremes, ”said the CAQ member.
Bill 96 should be adopted by the National Assembly by the end of the parliamentary session. It aims to impose tougher restrictions for workplaces and municipalities.
The future law will limit the use of English in courts and public services, strengthen the powers of seizure and search of the Office de la langue française and establish a cap on registrations for English-speaking CEGEPs. Students will have to take a greater number of courses in French.
On this subject, Premier Legault indicated that 17% of Quebec CEGEP students study in an English-language establishment, while Anglophones represent 9% of Quebec society.
The proposals of Bill 96 are “reasonable”, repeated the Prime Minister.