Press release · For immediate release
Montreal, February 10, 2026 – Twelve days after the publication of the new home health care policy entitled Mieux chez soi, the Point St. Charles Community Clinic (hereinafter the Clinic) and its allies submitted a petition to the National Assembly. The petition reflects broad support for a much more ambitious policy based on public, universal and humane access. As early as the autumn of 2025, even before its publication, the groups involved were already concerned that the policy would compromise universal access to health services tailored to the needs of seniors and persons with disabilities. Unfortunately, the Mieux chez soi policy does nothing to alleviate these concerns. While we welcome the progress made in recognising the role of family caregivers, this improvement should not overshadow the government’s decisions to increase privatisation and user fees for home support services.
Public, humane and ambitious home health care
With this petition, the Clinic and its community partners are calling on the government to take concrete action to strengthen the capacity of public home health care services to better meet the needs of the population. More than 3,400 individuals and 20 national groups, unions and community organisations support the petition and this request.
The government’s plans to upgrade CLSCs need to be more ambitious and accompanied by adequate financial resources. CLSCs must resume their general mandate of coordinating home health care services and once again become the sole providers of professional health services and domestic assistance services when these are necessary to maintain health. This decentralisation should also be accompanied by the democratisation of power and the participation of users in the organisation of services. Users are in the best position to testify to local needs and realities. Finally, workers must benefit from working conditions that allow them to provide humane and quality care.
Services struggling to meet demand
Mrs. S, 91, lives alone in her flat in Montreal’s Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood. In July 2025, she fractures her hip and leg. This requires surgery and rehabilitation. Following this incident, her health is more precarious and she fears further falls, despite her home being adapted with physical aids (grab bars, shower bench, etc.). In December 2025, the woman fell twice in her home and was hospitalised. Upon returning home, she was denied home care, despite signs of malnutrition and mobility issues: ‘She has lost weight, holds onto the walls and is unsteady on her feet,’ reports the community resource worker who supports the woman. Before assessing the appropriateness of home care, Mrs. S must undergo occupational therapy to strengthen her muscles and independence. At the end of January 2026, Mrs. S is still waiting for follow-up, her situation has not improved, and her need for assistance remains unmet. Mrs. S’s situation is not an exception. Unreasonable wait times and poor consideration of users’ needs and realities are unfortunately commonplace. With an ambitious home support policy, Mrs. S could have benefited from preventive home care to avoid certain falls and the deterioration of her health.
For more information on the petition: https://ccpsc.qc.ca/en/collective-statement-on-the-caqs-new-home-support-policy/
This press release was also signed by: Coalition solidarité santé, Institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques (IRIS), Action-Gardien, Centre des ainés de Pointe-Saint-Charles, Solidarité Saint-Henri, Concertation Ville-Émard Côte-St-Paul, Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ), Coalition pour le maintien dans la communauté (COMACO), Regroupement des organismes pour ainés et ainées du Sud-Ouest de Montréal (ROPASOM), Groupe des aidants du Sud-Ouest (GASO), Alliance du personnel professionnel et technique de la santé et des services sociaux (APTS), Regroupement intersectoriel des organismes communautaires de Montréal (RIOCM), Société québécoise de la déficience intellectuelle (SQDI), Médecins québécois pour le régime public, Réseau d’action des femmes en santé et services sociaux, Comité d’Action des personnes vivant des situation de handicap (CAPVISH), Réseau citoyen Vivre dans la dignité, Le mouvement des personnes retraitées CSQ (AREQ), Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), Quebec Autism Federation, Montreal Women’s Groups Roundtable, Action Committee for the Quality of Life of Seniors in Petite-Patrie (CAQVAPP), Les Accordailles, Quebec Health Federation (FSQ-CSQ).
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Information or interviews
Ariane Carpentier, Community Organiser
Point St. Charles Community Clinic
514 937-9251, ext. 7216 · ariane.carpentier.psch@ssss.gouv.qc.ca