$22 K bonus extended to medical imaging techs across the Outaouais
Tashi Farmilo & Bonnie James
Local Journalism Initiative
OUTAOUAIS – In the 11th hour, just two days before the scheduled departure of seven rural medical imaging techs to urban hospitals, the provincial government finally came through offering the full $22,000 bonus to technicians at all Outaouais hospitals.
The announcement came in the form of a press release from the technicians’ union early Saturday morning. “The APTS is pleased to announce a new victory for its members. Following intensive discussions with the Government of Quebec, the $22,000 bonus initially reserved for certain Outaouais hospitals is now extended to the entire territory, including establishments in Wakefield, Shawville, Hull and Gatineau.” the announcement read.
“This decision is a turning point for the Outaouais region. It will help stabilize teams and ensure better continuity of care. Medical imaging technologists are at the heart of the health system and this bonus represents a significant recognition of their work. We are proud of this progress, which will help make working conditions more attractive and meet the growing needs of the population,” said Joël Bélanger, Vice-President of the APTS.
Health Minister Christian Dubé took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm the announcement: “The monitoring committee now has a complete picture of labour movements in the Outaouais. In light of the information received, it is necessary to avoid a disruption of services at the level of technologists at the Shawville and Maniwaki hospitals.
“The committee’s analysis therefore justifies increasing the premiums to $22,000 for these two hospitals. We are announcing today that the bonuses offered to technologists will be equalized across Outaouais hospitals. We continue to monitor the situation closely in the Outaouais.”
The announcement concludes a two-week rollercoaster ride that started with Minister Dubé’s surprise visit to the Pontiac Hospital on August 27, during which he met with key local figures including Local Service Network Director Nicole Boucher- Larivière, CISSSO President Dr. Marc Bilodeau, and Pontiac MNA André Fortin to discuss the region’s pressing healthcare challenges.
Dubé’s visit was focused on understanding the unique difficulties faced by Pontiac’s healthcare providers and patients. Discussions highlighted several challenges: attracting and retaining healthcare professionals, the accessibility of surgical services in rural areas, and the region’s proximity to Ontario.
Mme Boucher-Larivière was optimistic following the meeting. “It was refreshing to see Minister Dubé take the time to come to the Pontiac and see first-hand the realities we face. We discussed the urgent need for better recruitment strategies and the importance of keeping essential services running at all times. The minister seemed to grasp the severity of our situation, but we need to see action soon,” she said.
But the hope inspired by that visit was quickly dashed when just three days later, the provincial treasury board told the APTS that “talks are over” and the rural technicians would not receive the additional $4,000; their bonus would remain at $18,000.
Now, just over a week later, the provincial government seemed to have a change of heart, recognizing the gravity of the situation and extending the full bonus across the region. According to Christine Prégent, national representative of the APTS in Outaouais, much work remains to be done: “This is a major step forward for medical imaging technologists in the region. We still have a long way to go to ensure equal treatment for all, but this new bonus represents a huge step forward. The fight continues for a fair distribution of resources across Quebec.” she concluded.
