HEALTHCARE: A HISTORIC MOBILIZATION.
On Tuesday, August 12, the town council meeting was packed: more than 150 citizens from Temiscaming, Kipawa, and Kebaowek gathered. The goal: to defend our right to accessible and continuous healthcare.
Three resolutions. Three clear messages:
1. Immediately reinstate past practices ensuring access to healthcare in Ontario.
2. Strengthen CISSSAT's collaboration with regional and Ontario healthcare partners.
3. Establish a citizen advisory committee and restore care pathways in Temiscaming-Kipawa.
Your concerns are our concerns.
Here are answers to some of the most frequent questions:
Why did access to care in Ontario stop so suddenly?
Because CISSSAT unilaterally ended-without consultation-a decades-old practice. This practice streamlined administrative procedures and covered interprovincial cost differences, similar to what the Outaouais region still does for services unavailable locally. Since this was abandoned, some doctors have demanded payment or refused to treat most patients from our region.
Why was there no official announcement from CISSSAT?
No public communication was issued, creating uncertainty and confusion. We do not know the reason, but often, this signals a lack of leadership, transparency, and accountability within an organization. We will not accept this from a public service.
Canada offers free healthcare-why not for us?
In Canada, there are two types of agreements:
- Hospital services: free across Canada, billed directly to the home province (Quebec participates in this).
- Medical services (doctors, specialists, tests): free between provinces only if an agreement is signed. Quebec has not signed this agreement.
Why do most Ontario doctors refuse our patients?
According to the Chief of Medical Staff in North Bay:
- Lack of RAMQ registration, previously managed by CISSSAT.
- Cumbersome procedures (including French-language certification).
- Loss of revenue from RAMQ billing, previously compensated by CISSSAT.
- Desire not to require upfront payment from patients.
- Use of pressure tactics due to unresolved issues with CISSSAT since 2023.
How can you help?
By filing a complaint with CISSSAT. Possible reasons: loss of follow-up care in Ontario, excessive travel distance for care in Quebec, insufficient travel reimbursement. Each complaint strengthens our efforts. https://www.cisss-at.gouv.qc.ca/en/complaint-form/
Our commitment is firm: we will maintain pressure until our citizens regain rapid, continuous, and reality-adapted access to care. Discussions continue with Public Health, the MSSS, our regional deputy, the MRC of Temiscamingue, and all necessary authorities until we achieve a satisfactory solution.