2026-08-09 — Daily report — Quebec emergency departments face increased weekly pressure with waiting lists up by 96 patients and key metropolitan regions exceeding 100% stretcher capacity.

Key Takeaways

•Stretcher occupancy decreased from an early peak of 82% down to 76% during the day, though the latest count of 1,533 waiting patients represents a weekly increase of 96 patients (+2pp stretcher occupancy).

•Montérégie (111%), Laurentides (110%), and Montréal (104%) are the most congested regions, experiencing average stretcher occupancies well above capacity.

•Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne in Montérégie recorded the highest volume with 68 patients waiting, while Montréal's Jewish General Hospital registered an extreme stretcher occupancy of 191%.

According to historical data from urgencesquebec.com, Quebec’s emergency departments experienced fluctuating capacity levels on August 9, 2026. The day began with 1,706 patients waiting and an 82% stretcher occupancy rate, which improved by the latest snapshot to 1,533 patients waiting and a 76% stretcher occupancy. However, compared to one week ago (August 3, 2026), the system is under greater strain, showing an increase of 96 waiting patients and a 2 percentage point rise in average stretcher occupancy.

Severe overcrowding persists in key metropolitan areas. Montérégie, Laurentides, and Montréal all average over 100% stretcher occupancy, driven by heavily congested facilities such as Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne (68 waiting) and the Jewish General Hospital (191% stretcher occupancy). Conversely, regions like Mauricie et Centre-du-Québec and Nord-du-Québec reported minimal to no ER wait times.