A Parti Québécois government would abolish public health agency Santé Québec

MONTRÉAL — A Parti Québécois government would abolish public health agency Santé Québec to invest more in direct care for the public.

Party leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon called the agency a bureaucratic monster in a press conference.

His party wants to use the savings to strengthen primary care and access to care through local community services centres, as well as to reduce surgical waiting lists.

Health Minister Sonia Bélanger criticized Plamondon’s proposal on Wednesday after it came out in media reports.

She said it was not realistic.

Santé Québec was created in 2024 and became the sole employer in the health and social services network.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 21, 2026.

The Canadian Press