The government of Québec is set to undergo significant restructuring aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing bureaucracy. This initiative is spearheaded by France-Élaine Duranceau, the president of the Treasury Board, through Bill 7 titled “An Act to Reduce Bureaucracy, Increase State Efficiency, and Strengthen Accountability of Senior Officials.”
Key Objectives of Bill 7
Bill 7 outlines several critical goals:
- Reduce the number of government agencies and streamline operations.
- Achieve projected savings of $35 million.
- Eliminate 220 full-time equivalent positions, primarily in the health sector.
Proposed Mergers and Transfers
One of the significant aspects of the bill is the proposed merger of major health institutions:
- The National Institute of Public Health of Québec (INSPQ) will merge with the National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS).
- Three laboratories—focusing on infectious diseases, toxicology, and screening—will be moved under the auspices of Santé Québec.
- Héma-Québec is set to assume responsibilities for organ donation and transplantation currently managed by Transplant Québec.
Anticipated Impact on Health Services
The restructuring aims to optimize the delivery of health services across Québec. By consolidating operations, the government seeks to improve efficiency and accountability within the healthcare system.
These reforms are crucial for addressing the growing demands of the province’s public health landscape while aiming for fiscal responsibility.
