(Quebec) The theme of the environment gave way to that of health on the last day of the Liberal members’ convention. After a close vote, the activists adopted a resolution to “depoliticize” the health system in order to break with “major reforms” like that of Gaétan Barrette which “break the system”.
The proposal, pushed by the liberal youth wing, sparked debate on Sunday. The young liberals succeeded in passing a resolution aiming to create an “independent state body” to manage the Quebec health system. Activists voted 53% in favor, 46% of them were against.
“It is to withdraw political power so that the reforms stop breaking up the health system because that is what is happening now. Every four years, we change government and that’s unfortunate, ”argued the advisor of the Youth Commission of the Liberal Party of Quebec, William Baril.
He does not exclude the controversial reform of the former Minister of Health, Gaétan Barrette, in his remarks. “This is the goal that it is not just the idea of a man or a woman who derogates from the prerogative established at first glance”, explained bluntly the young activist of Abitibi. Témiscamingue.
The main interested party has not rejected the idea, but believes that the way to get there is not the right one. “It’s not a bad theme, but I don’t think that in the way [la proposition est construite] as we speak leads to a depoliticization, “reacted Gaétan Barrette as a good player.
Its leader did not “close the door” to such a measure, but tempered the expectations of young liberals. “The reality is that it is one of the 120 proposals that we have heard,” she repeated.
Does she see this as a signal from the militants to break with the Barrette era? “In terms of health, we can see today that we are at a crossroads. […] It will require a real reflection on our health system, there is no doubt, ”she summed up in the press, avoiding to answer the question directly.
A mixed debate
“We want a national health service and a second quiet revolution in Quebec”, launched into debate the president of the youth commission, Gabriel Ahmad.
“This is not a great centralizing reform of structures. The structures in place remain the same. We are talking about a reform which is unique in its kind because it only affects the upper level of management, ”he pleaded before the vote, referring to“ the step back ”that wanted to take at the time. Philippe Couillard.
During the electoral campaign in 2018, Philippe Couillard brought back an idea raised in 2011 to entrust the management of the health system to a state corporation, independent of political power, once the Barrette reform is completed.
An activist against the proposal of the young liberals expressed in particular to fear that it “attacks ministerial responsibility”. Another said that “it almost seemed like a PQ or solidarity proposal.”
According to the wording of the proposal, this new entity would be governed by a board of directors, whose members would be appointed by a two-thirds vote of the National Assembly. The composition should respect a proportion of one third of managers, one third of health workers and one third of users.
Its mandate will be to establish “the guidelines of the health system” and to decentralize “by the creation of regional groups”. This independent body would also be responsible for “negotiations with the employees” of the health and social services network.