Quebec says it found funds needed to renovate Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital

Maisonneuve-Rosemont hospital in Montreal, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

Over a month after the government said much-needed renovations at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital would be put on pause, Quebec said it found the money to move ahead to fully fund the project.

However, the government did not confirm the total budget.

The Montreal hospital has been described as being outdated and in disrepair, with poor ventilation. Last week, surgeries were cancelled after a powerful storm knocked the power out and shattered windows.

Pressure has been mounting on the government to enact the multi-billion-dollar repairs.

On Wednesday, Health Minister Christian Dubé‘s cabinet said “funds have been set aside for this year (2025-2026) to continue the project, as well as for future years.”

The funding from the province includes $90 million for the parking lot.

It added it will soon put out a call for tenders.

The work at Maisonneuve-Rosemont involves building a multi-storey car park and temporary parking lots to free up space occupied by the existing parking, so the new hospital can be built. This was first announced in 2023.

It also includes:

• Renovating all care and intensive care units with a total capacity of 720 beds in single rooms, plus 26 bassinettes for babies
• An operating block, day surgery unit and a medical device reprocessing unit
• Medical imaging
• A pharmacy
• Laboratories
• Space for research animals
• Support services

Quebec said the funding will come from the $19 billion earmarked by the government for all infrastructure projects this year (PQI). Money is also set aside for another 30 or so renovation projects, including various hospitals like Arthabaska, and seniors’ homes. Dubé said his government has found $100 million for those renovation projects.

While speaking to journalists at the National Assembly, Dubé insisted he always said the project would take 10 years, including preparations, and that work would start in 2025. He maintains the government will respect its commitment.

Dubé said infrastructure money is allocated in silos, with health, education, and transportation being its biggest expenses.

He said he needed $200 million more than what was earmarked for health this year, which had a $3.6 billion cap. Dubé said money could be moved from other projects that were delayed or cancelled.

“We didn’t delay, we didn’t cancel any projects, the opposite. We confirmed there we’ll have about 30 projects that we’ll be continuing so it’s very good news today,” he said.

Projects confirmed to get provincial funding:

1. Mont-Laurier Hospital , short-term care unit and pharmacy - Laurentians - Expansion and redevelopment;
2. Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis - Endoscopic and operating rooms and logistics services - Expansion and redevelopment;
3. Charles-Le Moyne Hospital, operating room and day surgery - Longueuil - Expansion and redevelopment;
4. Sept-Îles Hospital, emergency and operating room - Expansion and redevelopment;
5. La Malbaie Hospital, hospital complex - Expansion and redevelopment;
6. Seniors’ Home (former CHSLD) - Montmagny - Construction.
7. Outaouais University Affiliated Hospital Center, hospital complex - Gatineau - Construction;
8. Saint-Jérôme Regional Hospital, surgical technical platform - Construction, expansion and redevelopment;
9. Amos Hospital, emergency and intensive care - Expansion and redevelopment;
10. Saint-François d’Assise Hospital, psychiatric and emergency service center - Quebec - Construction, expansion and redevelopment;
11. Seniors’ Home (former CHSLD Georges-Phaneuf) - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu - Reconstruction;
12. Seniors’ Home (former CHSLD) - Labelle - Construction;
13. Seniors’ Home (former CHSLD Argenteuil) - Lachute - Construction;
14. Saint-Eustache Hospital, emergency - Expansion and redevelopment;
15. Pierre-Boucher Hospital, emergency and short-term hospitalization units - Longueuil - Expansion;
16. Lakeshore General Hospital, Emergency Department - Pointe-Claire - Expansion;
17. Notre-Dame Hospital , Mental Health and Addiction Services - Montreal - Redevelopment;
18. Batshaw Youth and Family Centres, Beaconsfield Campus - Construction;
19. Philippe-Pinel National Institute of Forensic Psychiatry - Montreal - Construction, expansion and redevelopment;
20. Chicoutimi Hospital, operating room - Saguenay - Expansion;
21. Jonquière Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, Emergency - Expansion and Redevelopment;
22. Collines Long-Term Care and Accommodation Center - La Pêche - Expansion and Redevelopment;
23. St. Mary’s Hospital, Care Units - Montreal - Reconstruction and Redevelopment;
24. Seniors’ Home (former CHSLD LaSalle) - Montreal - Construction;
25. Seniors’ Home (former CHSLD Saint-Augustin) - Quebec - Reconstruction.

With files from The Canadian Press