2026-08-26 — Daily report — Quebec emergency departments show a five-day decrease of 181 waiting patients, but capacity remains critical with stretcher occupancy exceeding 115% in Montréal, Laval, and Montérégie.

Key Takeaways

•Quebec ER waiting lists decreased by 181 patients compared to five days ago, although average stretcher occupancy rose by 9 percentage points.

•Laval and Montréal are experiencing critical capacity strains, with stretcher occupancy rates reaching 192% and 124% respectively.

•Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne (72 waiting) and Hôpital Pierre-Le Gardeur (71 waiting) are currently the most congested facilities in the province.

According to historical data from urgencesquebec.com, Quebec's emergency departments experienced a slight increase in waiting patients throughout the day on August 26, 2026, rising from an early 1,183 to a final count of 1,249. Stretcher occupancy remained high, shifting slightly from 82% to 81%. Compared to five days prior (August 22), the total number of patients waiting decreased by 181, though the overall stretcher occupancy rose by 9 percentage points, signaling sustained pressure on acute care beds.

Regionally, severe congestion persists in metropolitan areas, led by Laval with a critical 192% stretcher occupancy and Montréal at 124% with 263 patients waiting. Montérégie registered the highest overall volume with 280 patients waiting and a 119% stretcher occupancy. The province's busiest individual facilities are Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne in Montérégie with 72 waiting patients and Hôpital Pierre-Le Gardeur in Lanaudière with 71 waiting.