Quebec will start rolling out its digital health dashboard pilot project on Saturday despite criticism over security breaches and technical issues. The system, which will first be introduced in Montreal and Mauricie, is meant to replace faxes, paper forms and manual scanning. The government says the new system will enable clinicians to receive real-time alerts, avoid duplicate tests, better coordinate care and improve patient safety. It is expected to cost Quebec $400 million to develop and implement, with $329 already spent, according to the government. The pilot project has come under criticism in recent weeks from both opposition parties and healthcare professionals. Health Minister Sonia Bélanger is urging Quebecers to be patient as the system could experience bugs and glitches. Quebec’s attempt at a digital modernization of its auto insurance board led to a disastrous rollout, half a billion dollars in cost overruns and a public inquiry last year. The new digital health system will eventually be rolled out across the entire health care network, which is expected to cost between $1.5 billion and $3 billion. It will merge about 400 different IT systems. Quebec’s health authority said in a press release on Friday that operating costs for the new system are expected to be about $100 million per year. It added that the system will save it at least $120 million a year. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 9, 2026. With information from Patrice Bergeron, The Canadian Press.
