Published in the Pontiac Journal on December 17, 2025.
Tashi Farmilo & Mélissa Gélinas
Local Journalism Initaitive
MRC PONTIAC – The health-care system in the Outaouais, including the Pontiac, is under mounting strain as staffing shortages, service fragility and uncertainty linked to provincial reforms continue to weigh on physicians and administrators. At the same time, Quebec is rolling out new financial incentives aimed at attracting health professionals to the region in an effort to stem workforce losses, particularly to neighbouring Ontario.
Dr. Thomas O’Neill, a family physician in Shawville and assistant professor at McGill University, says the Pontiac’s situation, while currently stable, remains highly vulnerable. The region has managed to maintain two active operating rooms, three anesthesiologists and a new surgeon, but O’Neill warns that stability could quickly unravel.
“All it would take is one resignation or a prolonged absence to disrupt services,” he said, noting that neighbouring Gatineau has already experienced significant breakdowns, including resignations from department heads in surgery, anesthesia, oncology and obstetrics.
Local leadership has played a key role in maintaining services. Nicole Boucher-Larivière, director of the Pontiac Local Services Network, confirmed that despite the recent creation of Santé Québec, local operational autonomy has been preserved. While there is alignment with Santé Québec’s strategic plan, she said daily management has not been centralized and her role remains unchanged.
Staffing, however, remains a pressing concern. Boucher-Larivière said recruitment of family doctors is ongoing and showing some improvement, but the situation is fragile, particularly in primary care.
As many as 3,000 Pontiac residents could lose access to a family doctor in the coming months as several physicians prepare to leave the region. O’Neill has linked this
anticipated exodus to the impact of Law 2, which he argues places unrealistic demands on physicians without addressing what he sees as the root problem: Quebec has not trained enough doctors to meet current and future needs.
Quebec currently has 2.83 physicians per 1,000 residents, compared with more than three per 1,000 in countries such as Germany and the Netherlands. O’Neill attributes the gap to policy decisions made roughly two decades ago to limit medical school admissions — decisions that were not mirrored in Europe.
He rejects the notion that physician compensation is the core issue, arguing instead that working conditions are driving doctors away. While the use of private clinics for procedures such as orthopedic surgeries may improve efficiency in certain areas, he said it does little to address shortages in essential hospital services.
The Pontiac continues to rely on its long-standing partnership with Pembroke Regional Hospital for obstetrics care, which Boucher-Larivière confirmed remains stable.
Recruitment bonuses aim to attract staff to the Pontiac
At the same time, Quebec has announced new financial incentives aimed at attracting and retaining nursing and respiratory care staff in the Outaouais, where workforce losses to Ontario have become increasingly pronounced.
On November 28, Health Minister Christian Dubé and Outaouais Minister and Papineau MNA Mathieu Lacombe unveiled lump-sum bonuses for health-care professionals living outside the region who commit to working full time in the Outaouais for at least three years. The incentives apply to positions including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and respiratory therapists.
Under the program, professionals who relocate to the Pontiac or the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau are eligible for a bonus of $35,000, while those who choose other Outaouais service networks can receive $30,000. The bonus is paid in two instalments, with between $10,000 and $12,000 provided upon starting the position, and the remaining $20,000 to $23,000 paid after three years of service or at the end of the contract. Partial repayment would be required if a participant leaves early.
Since December 15, bonuses of between 5% and 10% of hourly wages have been offered for overtime, depending on conditions.
Karine D’Auteuil, president of the local nurses’ union in the Outaouais, said the measures are funded through the 2024–2028 collective agreement and include $1 million a year for five years, totalling $5 million. She cautioned the funding is temporary.
While the incentives may help, D’Auteuil said they fall far short. She warned financial measures alone won’t stop the exodus unless workload pressures ease and working conditions improve. She also noted the program does not apply to staff already in the region or to local nurses who take jobs here instead of Ontario, a condition she said could create tensions.
Boucher-Larivière said urgent priorities include retaining staff by supporting care teams, promoting quality of life to attract professionals, and expanding collaboration with municipalities and community groups. Efforts include consolidating medical teams, improving care coordination and developing local services.
O’Neill said longer-term solutions remain essential, including expanded access to medical training, greater support for internationally trained physicians and admission criteria that better reflect the skills needed in underserved regions, including communication, empathy and a willingness to serve patients.
