(Sherbrooke) Quebec Solidaire (QS) is walking back its promise to “end mental health waiting lists,” announced as its first election commitment last spring. Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois now promises to “reduce this waiting list as much as possible” by investing $700 million over four years if he wins the election.
Updated yesterday at 5:56 pm.
QS’s parliamentary leader on Sunday recycled his party’s commitment to his candidate in the riding of Saint-Francois, public health expert Melissa Genereux. Mr. Nadeau-Dubois promised to hire another 900 psychologists in the public network, as well as 1,000 mental health professionals such as social workers in health and education networks.
“The ultimate goal is to have no mental health waiting lists in Quebec, but we must not hide our faces. The mental health crisis is serious, especially among young people. We want to reduce this waiting list as much as possible. We will work very hard to get there. […] But the promises thrown in the wind, in health in general, I think Quebecers are tired of that,” he said.
However, on April 16, Quebec Solidaire solemnly promised to “put an end to waiting lists” by unveiling exactly the same plan. What happened since then?
“What I’m telling you is that we’re going to reduce these lists to a minimum and we want everyone in Quebec to have access to free, public mental health care and in the shortest possible time,” repeated Mr. Nadeau-Dubois.
There are differences in wording, but the idea is the same.
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, Quebec Solidaire parliamentary leader
Miscalculation
On Sunday, when it came time to explain how Quebec Solidaire would fund its electoral commitment, it miscalculated. Initially, the party indicated in a press release that its promise would cost “$280 million a year.” Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois’ communications team confirmed the measure would cost 1.1 billion in the first term.
Hours later, QS Media sent its tour content manager inside the coach to correct the error. In fact, citing the party’s financial framework, he explained that the pledge would cost 280 million annually over four years, 70 million in the first year, 140 million in the second year, 210 million and 280 million in the third year. Fourth (for a total of 700 million during a mandate).
Of the 280 million per year in the long term, 70 million will be used to increase the salaries of psychologists in the public sector, after adding 900 psychologists and 1000 mental health professionals to the network.
Beware of “Lipton” promises
As for waiting lists to see a professional, Gabrielle Nadeau-Dubois doesn’t count what the “shortest possible” time is for her to see a speaker. The support parliamentary leader said on Sunday that “Lipton” type promises should be avoided.
“Every time politicians make such promises they are broken. Ninety minutes in the emergency room, said Francois Legault in 2018. A doctor for every Quebecer, Pauline Marois, Jean Charest and Francois Legault were guaranteed. My colleague Vincent Marissal calls these Lipton’s promises. It makes a nice clip on TV, you add a little water, it makes a soup. [Mais] “These health promises have shattered Quebecers’ faith in their system,” he said.
“What we are saying is that we have ambition, we have an idea to solve the mental health crisis and we are going to invest in an unprecedented way,” said Mr. Nadeau-Dubois added.
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