Camille Arsenault experienced a challenging situation when she went into labor at her home in Gaspésie, Quebec. In anticipation of welcoming her daughter, Olivia, she rushed to the local hospital in Maria with her partner. However, due to a shortage of staff, she was required to spend two hours in an ambulance before being transferred to the Chandler hospital, over 130 kilometers away. Despite being warned of this possibility a week earlier, the situation left her feeling far from home and family.
The obstetrics units in several parts of eastern Quebec have faced temporary closures due to staffing issues, with the situation in the Gaspé region, particularly in Haute-Gaspésie, being particularly challenging. In 2025, the Sainte-Anne-des-Monts Hospital was closed for a total of 133 days, a significant increase from the previous year. Women from this hospital are often redirected to Matane, an hour away in the Lower St. Lawrence region.
Jean St-Pierre, the deputy executive director of the CISSS de la Gaspésie, acknowledged the staffing challenges in the region. The obstetrics unit at Sainte-Anne-des-Monts experienced disruptions at the beginning of 2026, with only one full-time obstetrics nurse and multiple unfilled nursing positions contributing to the issue. Despite efforts to recruit more staff, the hospital’s obstetrics unit may face frequent closures in the coming months.
The shortage of births at the Sainte-Anne-des-Monts hospital has led to dissatisfaction among specialized nurses, prompting some to seek positions in busier centers. This lack of staff has also resulted in some women having to give birth in the emergency room with less experienced staff. The CISSS has been actively searching for solutions to address the staffing shortages but has yet to find a sustainable resolution.
Véronique Ouellette, from Maison des Familles Haute-Gaspésie, expressed concerns about the ongoing challenges in obstetrics services in the region. Despite efforts to recruit more nurses and explore solutions, including collaborating with other regions, the situation remains precarious. Joël Arseneau, the Parti-Québécois health critic, has criticized the government for neglecting obstetrics services in eastern Quebec, describing the treatment of women in the Gaspé as “second-class citizens.”
Calls for increased resources and government intervention have been ongoing, with Health Minister Sonia Bélanger declining to comment. Santé Québec has acknowledged the obstacles faced by several regions in obstetrics due to a lack of specialists and is evaluating potential changes to improve service organization province-wide.