The postponement of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Hospital opening has not left the provincial MNAs for Vaudreuil and Soulanges indifferent. Independent MNA for Vaudreuil, Marie-Claude Nichols, expressed her perplexity, while CAQ MNA Marilyne Picard admitted her disappointment over the situation.

"The Vaudreuil-Soulanges Hospital is a project that has been tirelessly championed by the citizens and elected officials of the greater Vaudreuil-Soulanges region. It is unfortunate that everyone learned this bad news through the media and that we had to request an emergency meeting with our CISSSMO to get explanations," said the MNA for Vaudreuil.

It was recently announced by the CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest (CISSSMO) and the Société québécoise des infrastructures (SQI) that a delay of several months is expected for the hospital's opening, initially scheduled for the end of 2026.

The updated timeline, to be released soon, suggests that the first patient could be admitted in the summer of 2027, at best.

"We all obviously wish for the project to be completed as quickly as possible, and I am the first to be disappointed by the adjusted timeline. However, I want to emphasize that I am in constant contact with the concerned ministers. I have been assured that the construction of the Soulanges Hospital is progressing well," noted Marilyne Picard.

The SQI attributed the delay to several factors, including "delays stemming from the tender phases in a pandemic context that led to market overheating and labor shortages, causing a setback," confirmed Anne-Marie Gagnon, communications advisor, via email to Néomédia.

"As for the delay, I am perplexed by the justifications given. We are told it is not due to construction delays but that, in recent days, they realized the timeline was no longer plausible. How can this realization come two years after construction began and eight years after planning started?" lamented Marie-Claude Nichols.

"I have a feeling this will eventually be blamed on the pandemic, while the impact of budget cuts is becoming evident," she added.

Marilyne Picard, MNA for Soulanges, confirmed that the necessary funds are already fully allocated in the budget. "This is a significant project, and it needs to be done right for the population. I assure you that I continue to closely monitor the situation with great attention and interest," she concluded.

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