As of May 3, 2026, Quebec's emergency room network is experiencing significant pressure, with the total number of patients waiting rising to 1,400 from 1,259 earlier in the day. Data from urgencesquebec.com indicates a concerning upward trend compared to April 25, showing a 4 percentage point increase in total stretcher occupancy, which currently sits at an average of 80% province-wide. In-ER patient counts have also jumped by over 600 individuals since the previous comparison period, signaling a tightening of hospital resources.
Regional disparities are stark, with Laval and Montérégie facing critical stretcher occupancy rates of 149% and 112%, respectively. In contrast, regions like Nord-du-Québec remain relatively stable with only 17% stretcher usage. Major urban centers are the primary drivers of this congestion; Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne and Hôpital Pierre-Le Gardeur are currently the busiest facilities in terms of sheer numbers waiting, while Hôpital général juif in Montréal is operating at a dangerous 174% stretcher capacity.