(Quebec) The largest association of labor placement agencies deplores the fact of being kept “in the dark” three weeks before the end of the exceptional measures linked to the pandemic. It calls for the lifting of the ministerial decrees ordered under the premise of an “attempt to asphyxiate”.
The Association of Private Companies of Caregivers of Quebec (EPPSQ) is still waiting to be informed of the intentions of the Legault government as the end of the exceptional measures of the An Act to end the state of health emergency while providing for the maintenance of transitional measures necessary to protect the health of the population (“ law 28″).
Adopted last spring, the piece of legislation allowed the government to retain exceptional powers, such as that of regulating the use of agencies, until December 31, 2022.
“Unfortunately there is no discussion [avec le gouvernement] “, supports the president of the EPPSQ, Patrice Lapointe, who ensures that “the door is open” on the side of his association, which brings together 21 labor placement agencies. “We deplore it because we are in the dark,” he continues.
We did not agree with the approach that was adopted by the government in implementing these orders and this law. That being said, it is certain and certain that the way to resolve the impasse is to talk to each other.
Patrice Lapointe, President of the Association of Private Healthcare Personnel Companies of Quebec
The ministerial decree in force includes a series of measures tightening the screws on private agencies, such as the imposition of price ceilings for the hiring of nursing staff. It also provides that an employee who leaves the public network can only return to work for an agency after a period of 90 days. We also come to supervise the contracts concluded during the pandemic.
“We think that these orders should be lifted for a very simple reason: it is that unfortunately, the premise according to which these orders were issued is more an attempt to asphyxiate the agencies, in a dynamic where we says that we will put an end to it in two or three years. That’s the problem,” says Mr. Lapointe.
The EPPSQ recognizes that these exceptional measures were taken under the state of health emergency while agencies were asking exorbitant prices for labor. “I agree with the fact that there are some who exaggerate, it is on the method that we do not agree”, he retorts, affirming that the imposition of price ceilings also creates “perverse effects”.
Desired supervision
The EPPSQ says it is open to the development of “a framework in a context of sustainability” and affirms that it is even “necessary”.
“The reality is that there is a need for us in the network, we are not 50% of the hours worked, according to the statistics of the Ministry, we are 3 or 4% of the hours worked. What we do, we do well. Now there are good and bad sides and [il faut voir] how we can work together to solve the problems,” says Mr. Lapointe.
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, has not yet made known his intentions on the end of the ministerial decrees affecting private labor agencies. However, he maintains that his wish is to wean himself off labor agencies within three years.
“The use of independent labor has been seen for too long as a management method and that’s what we’re going to have to change. We are already working on concrete solutions to get there, “says the minister’s office. The MSSS confirms for its part that “the work is still in progress in connection with the end of the transitional measures”.
For staff retention
Christian Dubé wants to perpetuate certain decrees of Law 28 which allow the continued employment of thousands of health workers who have come to lend a hand to the network through the “I contribute” platform. The Legault government must come to an agreement with the unions.
A draft regulation was also published in the Official Gazette in mid-November so that several professionals, such as veterinarians and dentists, can continue to vaccinate and screen.
The professional orders have also been called upon to find ways through since the special authorizations to practice, granted in particular to retired nurses, are also coming to an end.
The Order of Nurses of Quebec recently contacted the approximately 3,000 nurses holding such authorization. They may, if they so wish, register on the roll of the Order free of charge for the period from 1er January to March 31, 2023.