More Than 7,200 Quebec Nurses Are on Sick Leave, Straining Health System

More than 7,200 nurses in Quebec are currently on sick leave, representing close to one in 10 nursing staff across the province’s health care system, according to data from Santé Québec.

The high number of absences highlights growing strains on the province’s health workforce, with unions pointing to burnout as a key factor behind the surge in sick leave. Health care advocates also warn that recent budget cuts and ongoing workplace pressures are compounding already difficult working conditions for nurses.

Nurses and their representatives say the workload and emotional stress of front-line care have pushed many workers to their limits. In recent months, an earlier report suggested that over 4,500 nurses were already on leave in November, a sign the issue has been building throughout the fall and winter.

The shortages are occurring amid broader staffing challenges in Quebec’s health system, where retirements, recruitment gaps, and the departure of younger nurses have long contributed to workforce instability. Health experts say the combination of chronic understaffing and rising sick leave rates is making it increasingly difficult to maintain care levels and respond to patient needs.

Unions are calling on provincial leaders to address the root causes of burnout through workplace supports, better staffing levels, and improved working conditions, while patient advocates urge investment in health care capacity to prevent further disruptions to services.