Advertisement

Coalition Avenir Québec promises new Outaouais hospital

What's in a slogan? Quebec's 4 main parties try to entice voters with one word or more

The opposition Coalition Avenir Québec is promising to build a new hospital in western Quebec in their first term in power if elected this fall.

Leader François Legault was in Gatineau Sunday, saying the location of the hospital hasn't been determined and it would be at least 170 beds.

He didn't mention a cost.

Legault said waiting times at the Gatineau and Hull hospitals are unacceptable and costs Quebec too much to reimburse Ontario for patients who seek care in nearby communities such as Ottawa and Hawkesbury.

Liberal MNA André​ Fortin said it's more important to spend money addressing the shortage of healthcare workers in the region.

"We can build four walls, but if we don't have the people to serve the citizens inside these walls we won't [be better]," Fortin said.

Quebec's election campaign officially starts Thursday.

The election is Oct. 1.