Santé Québec has invested $3 million in private contracts to improve health network management amid a $1.5 billion budget cut. This includes numerous non-competitive contracts for services like cybersecurity and crisis management. Concerns have emerged regarding transparency and the necessity of external expertise, especially after hiring a marketing firm and a former health executive with a controversial past. Critics argue that this approach contradicts the austerity measures affecting public services, raising issues about the agency’s operations and accountability.
Investments in Private Contracts by Santé Québec
The newly established agency, Santé Québec, has already allocated $3 million towards contracts with private firms aimed at enhancing the management of the health network, which is tasked with slashing $1.5 billion in expenses. Since its operations kicked off on December 1st, there has been a notable increase in contracts awarded without a competitive bidding process, spanning areas like cybersecurity, finance, and crisis management. According to a detailed review by the Journal, there have been 14 such contracts listed on the Quebec government’s public contracts platform, SÉAO, since December 18th, cumulatively amounting to $1,354,070. Prior to the holiday season, La Presse reported that Santé Québec had engaged the private sector for $1.7 million in contracts for 2024, pushing the overall expenditure past the $3 million mark.
Concerns Over Transparency and Expertise
Recently, it was disclosed that Santé Québec contracted a marketing firm for $103,000 to assist in defining its mission and vision. Additionally, Daniel Castonguay, the former CEO of CISSS de Lanaudière, has been appointed as a “senior strategic advisor” at a salary nearing $120,000, despite his previous dismissal following the tragic incident involving patient Joyce Echaquan and subsequent allegations of racism. Another contract was awarded to the marketing and polling agency, SOM, for evaluating “public trust.”
Régis Blais, a health policy expert from the University of Montreal’s School of Public Health, questions the need for external expertise, suggesting that there were already numerous operations and knowledge within the ministry. He emphasizes that the ministry had been functioning adequately, implying that the current approach seems unnecessary.
As the health network braces for a $1.5 billion cut by March 31, job reductions and service limitations are becoming increasingly prevalent across Quebec. Dr. Xavier Gauvreau, representing Quebec Doctors for the Public System (MQRP), has expressed concern over the contradictory messages being sent to the public. He highlights the peculiar situation of cutting services while simultaneously awarding contracts, indicating a double standard where austerity applies to public services but not to private engagements.
The MQRP has also voiced frustrations regarding the opacity surrounding Santé Québec since its inception. Dr. Gauvreau notes the difficulty in obtaining information about the agency’s operations, reinforcing concerns about transparency.
Currently, there are two additional calls for tenders in progress aimed at evaluating technology services and digital files, though the financial details of these contracts remain undisclosed. In response to inquiries, Santé Québec stated that these contracts are designed to boost the agency’s short-term efficiency without the commitment of hiring permanent staff. Their primary objective is to swiftly enhance operational capacity and deliver impactful results for the public, both in managing health network operations and providing support to local teams.