Quebec announces new incentives to reestablish the presence of medical staff

After updating the province’s COVID-19-related numbers and the delaying of Montreal’s reopening, Premier François Legault and Christian Dubé, president of the Treasury Board, announced premium incentives to help reinforce Quebec’s medical network staff.

According to Legault, Quebec is short 11,600 employees. Of the ones that are presently working, 50% are only doing so part-time.

A new incentive has been drafted, hoping to lure medical staff members who work in long-term care homes, private residents, and hospitals to come back and to do so full-time.

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Dubbed “premium incentives,” employees who work a minimum of 36.25 hours per week can receive an additional $1,000 per month – an increase of 30% of orderlies wages, according to the Premier.

The premium will be applicable to all long-term care homes (CHSLDs) that have at least one patient positive with the COVID-19 virus.

“The government estimates that to immediately improve the wages of the staff and to encourage full-time work in the medical field, close to $70 million will be given to the industry as additional premiums,” says Dubé in French.

Dubé says the incentives can reach “up to $1,000 more per month,” doubling after every full-time week worked.

He says the same monetary measures will be applied to hospital centres in Montreal that are deemed “hot zones.” Nurses, clinicians and assistants, orderlies, maintenance, and respiratory therapists will be eligible for the bonuses.

Dubé also announced bonuses for healthcare members of the medical network who accept transfers from other regions of Quebec to the Greater Montreal area. An extra $2,000 a month can be added to such cases, according to Dubé.

“The government hopes to reestablish the presence in the medical field to add more options to give healthcare to patients who need it,” he continued. “While these premiums are significant, we are conscious that safety remains our top priority for employees and you can count on us.”

Legault assured workers that “all the protective material will be available” and thanked everyone who will answer the government’s call.

“We need you all to be able to win this war,” he said.