Virtual waiting rooms could modernize access to health care: Fréchette

The emergency waiting room at The Montreal Children's Hospital on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Montreal. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi)

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette announced on Friday morning that her government is launching a call for tenders for a virtual waiting room and teleconsultation pilot project, with the aim of modernizing access to health care.

During the announcement, the premier also did not dispel rumours that she could stand as a candidate in the riding of Trois-Rivières in the next election.

According to Fréchette, an initial pilot project for a virtual waiting room is set to be rolled out in the Lanaudière region “in the coming months.”

A patient who has been assessed and triaged will be able to return home while retaining their place in line rather than staying in the hospital if their condition is deemed non-urgent.

“Imagine what this could mean for older people, for example, or for parents with young children or for people who are used to waiting for hours on end before seeing a doctor and having to stay at the emergency room (ER),” she said at a press conference in Joliette.

Virtual consultations

Another initiative also slated to be tested in the Lanaudière and Capitale-Nationale regions would allow patients to receive virtual assessments and consultations before being referred to the health care service best suited to their case.

The goal, again, would be to avoid unnecessary trips to the ER.

The project is set to be developed in collaboration with, amongst others, the Collège des médecins du Québec and the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec.

“This is another step towards improving access to care and services,” said Health Minister Sonia Bélanger, standing alongside Fréchette.

The premier pointed out that this was one of the commitments she made during her leadership campaign for the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ).

Will the virtual ER see its first patients before the election scheduled for October?

“There is a great deal of planning to be done, and I can tell you that we are working at full speed,” replied Bélanger.

“There are all the administrative considerations involved in choosing the technology and issuing calls for tenders,” she explained, adding that “staff need to be trained.”

All the same, she said she hopes the project will be implemented “as quickly as possible.”

A government press release noted that “work on drawing up the tender specifications is starting now, with an expectation that pilot projects will be up and running by the end of 2026.”

CAQ candidates

There is a persistent rumour that the premier may stand for election in the Trois-Rivières riding this fall, moving over from the riding of Sanguinet, where she is currently an MNA.

When asked about the matter, she did nothing to dispel the rumour.

“As you know, I have a special attachment to Trois-Rivières, the town where I grew up and where my parents still live. I also have a special attachment to Sanguinet. In fact, I’ll be making an exciting announcement on Monday in my constituency,” she said.

The premier added, “What I can tell you is that we have several excellent candidates and we’re in the process of selecting from among them. I can assure you that I’m looking forward to introducing them to you, and that process begins tomorrow.”

The Canadian Press has confirmed that one of the new candidates is Manuela Goya, vice-president of destination development and public affairs at Tourisme Montréal, in the riding of Brome-Missisquoi.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 19, 2026.