Sherbrooke Record

Legault ups recruitmen­t pitch for health profession­als

- By Matthew Mccully

Quebec Premier Francois Legault is calling on the “sense of duty” of doctors in the province to help fill the labour shortage in CHSLDS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He is asking general practition­ers as well as surgeons and specialist­s, currently off work because of the postponeme­nt of elective surgeries, to do the jobs of PABS and nurses.

According to Legault, there are currently 1,382 absences from public CHSLDS. With private facilities added to that, he said there are around 2,000 positions to fill.

“We’re not missing doctors,” Legault clarified. “We’re missing PABS and nurses.”

“We’re Looking for them to come do nursing work. They won’t be mopping floors,” he insisted.

Health Minister Danielle Mccann said Quebec doctors should consider the gesture a humanitari­an mission.

During Legault’s briefing, reporters questioned the plea for doctors when aid was offered from Canadian military personnel with medical training, and health profession­als had offered their services through the COVID-19 I

Sûreté du Québec (SQ) patrollers have found a unique way to maintain social distancing. They are around 16 hands high, riding horseback in local communitie­s.

Meet Paolo and Yamaska, spotted earlier this week in the Maxi parking lot in Richmond.

At the beginning of 2019, the SQ created an equestrian team in order to increase its outreach, particular­ly at the community level. This team, composed of riders as well as escorts from police and civilian personnel, was a pilot project for the past two years before being deployed throughout the province. The teams circulate to ensure public safety and foster closer ties with the community.

The team is made up of eight Canadian

horses and six miniature horses, which rotate around the territory served by the SQ.

Don’t worry, the miniature horses aren’t out on the streets chasing down lawbreaker­s. The miniatures are brought to certain events and outreach initiative­s to foster positive contact with the general public as well as vulnerable groups such as sick children, the handicappe­d and the elderly.

 ?? PHOTOCREDI­T: ANNE-MARIE MORIN ??
PHOTOCREDI­T: ANNE-MARIE MORIN

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