Right-Leaning Shift in Quebec Politics
HMR on the Edge: Legault Scrapes Together $85M to Initiate Construction
The Legault government is in a bind. Despite initial promises, the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital (HMR) expansion project in Montreal might no longer kick off this year, with potential delays looming as late as 2026 [1][3]. However, the government's vowing to speed things up, even though no definitive timeline or revised funding plan has been declared [1][3].
The pressure is mounting as citizens and hospital personnel grow increasingly restless. A union-backed rally took place in April, highlighting the hospital's deteriorating infrastructure and recent power outages that jeopardized surgeries [1][3].
Facing this escalating situation, Premier François Legault justifies escalating infrastructure spending—$19 billion each year for hospitals, schools, and transportation—which has led to a staggering $14 billion deficit in 2025-2026 and a downgrade in the province's credit rating by S&P [2]. Nevertheless, Legault stresses the need to prioritize infrastructure over austerity measures, citing Quebec's alleged "investment deficit" in public services [2].
This budgetary juggle has imposed limitations across sectors, with Legault firm on avoiding tax hikes to balance the books [2]. Though the specifics of the HMR project's funding are still hazy, broader budgetary pressures mean that other areas may face financial strain [2].
The coalition championing HMR's reconstruction is far from backing down, intensifying their advocacy efforts to push the Legault government to act now [1][3]. Meanwhile, rumors of a planning issue with the Quebec Infrastructure Plan (PIQ) persist, suggesting the situation may have only surfaced when general directors of health institutions received their 2025-2026 budget confirmations [1].
Midspring Turmoil
Questions surrounding HMR's future were reignited in March when Christian Dubé, the Health Minister, conceded that the project's announcement had been premature. The situation has since evolved, with increasing tension within the government and the public [1][3].
To resolve this crisis and quell popular discontent, Quebec is allocating funds for HMR and other projects in need of modernization [1]. However, details surrounding these investments have yet to be revealed publicly [1].
1. Reread "Legault Tries to Find 85 Million to Launch the Work" 2. Check out "Quebec Blocks Health Infrastructure Projects"
March 26
Following the budget presentation, Minister Christian Dubé raised eyebrows by acknowledging that the HMR expansion project was announced prematurely.
April 10
A pro-expansion coalition goes to bat, putting pressure on the Legault government, which maintains there's no financial room left for new health infrastructure projects [1].
- The Legault government is desperate to find $85 million to initiate the construction of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital (HMR) expansion project, with delays potentially pushing the start date as far as 2026.
- Premier François Legault insists on prioritizing infrastructure over austerity measures, despite a projected $14 billion deficit in 2025-2026, citing Quebec's alleged investment deficit in public services.
- A coalition advocating for HMR's reconstruction is intensifying their efforts to pressure the Legault government, as questions linger about a supposed planning issue with the Quebec Infrastructure Plan (PIQ) and the public's growing discontent.
- With infrastructure spending escalating and general directors of health institutions receiving their 2025-2026 budget confirmations, rumors persist about a possible planning issue that may have contributed to the delays with the HMR project.
- Amidst the midspring turmoil surrounding the HMR project, there's a lack of clarity regarding the specific details of the funding for not only HMR but also other projects in need of modernization, leaving citizens and hospital personnel restless and uncertain about the future.
