First, health care is a public service. I have a real issue with austerity measures, budget cuts and so on. Before the health crisis, the system had been struggling for years. When the crisis hit, the system couldn't respond properly. What was done? People turned to the private sector and then said that this approach worked. Yet it didn't.
In Quebec, people turned to employment agencies to find staff. These agencies [Technical difficulty—Editor] not provide a public service. It costs twice or three times as much. Every time, we enter a vicious cycle where the private sector seems like the rescuer. However, the reality is quite different. In reality, the public health sector is overlooked. When things go wrong, people turn to the private sector. They then claim that this approach works.
Increased reliance on the private sector further weakens the public sector. We must stop this vicious cycle and focus on the public health care system. It must be given the resources required to carry out the work and to provide these services to the community, to the public.
Clearly, both health care and education services must be provided as public services, not for profit.