The Minister responsible for Seniors and Caregivers, Marguerite Blais, began her testimony at the coroner’s inquest on the deaths in CHSLDs on Friday by accepting her share of responsibility in the tragedy that took place there.
“I would like to tell you that I take my responsibilities,” she said from the outset, unable to hold back her tears. “I was supposed to come in November, I was too emotional. »
At the time, Coroner Géhane Kamel excused Ms. Blais from her testimony, since the Minister was on sick leave due to professional exhaustion. Ms. Blais explained Friday that she asked her doctor’s permission to come and testify at the inquest.
“I come before you in all humility, in all serenity. It’s important for me, even though I’m on sick leave, to get a doctor’s note. I consider that you are doing a fundamental investigation for the well-being of families. […] I owe it to the families,” she said.
The minister said she had “come out of retirement” to return to politics in 2018 to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable people and caregivers. “We can’t be indifferent to that,” she said.
Further details will follow.
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