If you’ve ever looked at the board in a Montreal emergency room and gone home, you’re far from alone. A new poll suggests ER wait times have led more than half of Quebecers to give up on seeing a doctor at some point. That’s worrying, because some problems get worse when left alone. Here’s what the numbers say, and a practical guide to the other doors into the health system, from 811 to a brand-new virtual urgent care service in Montreal. (This is general information, not medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.)
What the poll found
According to a Léger survey commissioned by the Montreal Economic Institute, SecondStreet.org and the Canadian Constitution Foundation, reported by The Canadian Press, 50 per cent of Canadians say they have given up on seeing a doctor or going to the ER because of waits. In Quebec, the figure is 56 per cent. The survey doesn’t say whether people were seen by a triage nurse first, whether they sought help elsewhere, or whether this happened in the past year or over their lifetime. Renaud Brossard of the MEI warned that problems people hope will pass can worsen, becoming harder to treat by the time they finally consult. The survey also found that 46 per cent of Quebecers have paid for private health services, compared with 27 per cent of Canadians.
The pressure is real. Santé Québec told CTV News that Quebec emergency departments record nearly 10,000 visits a day, and the Jewish General and the Royal Victoria are among the busiest, often operating at over 200 per cent capacity. Average waits have also climbed since 2018.
When to go to the ER, no matter the wait
Dr. Joel Turner, chief of emergency at the Jewish General, and the hospital are clear that some symptoms should never wait. Call 911 or go to the ER for chest pain, difficulty breathing, a severe allergic reaction, signs of a stroke, severe abdominal pain, an acute mental health crisis or bleeding during pregnancy. If you feel you need to be seen immediately, go.
Your other options when ER wait times are long
1. Info-Santé 811
Free, 24/7 advice from a nurse by phone, who can tell you whether you need the ER, a clinic or home care. The catch: waits can be long. As of Oct. 17, CTV reported the average wait to reach a nurse was almost two hours, and Santé Québec is testing tools, including AI, to redirect simpler flu and gastro calls.
2. The GAP (811, option 3)
If you don’t have a family doctor, the Guichet d’accès à la première ligne can book you an appointment with a primary-care professional. About 80 per cent of GAP requests were processed within 36 hours as of mid-October. You can also start online through GAP numérique.
3. Virtual Urgent Care at the Jewish General (new)
In a first for Quebec, the JGH now offers video appointments with an emergency doctor for adults 18 and over living on the island of Montreal who need urgent but not critical care. Doctors can prescribe, order imaging or blood work and give advice. It’s meant for problems like back pain, rashes, a swollen eyelid, minor burns or frostbite, or mild flu-like symptoms.
4. Your pharmacist
Pharmacists can assess many minor problems and advise you on whether you need to see a doctor. This fall, many are also busy with the vaccine campaign, so call ahead.
Quick decision guide
- Life-threatening symptoms: 911 or the ER.
- Not sure how serious it is: call 811 and ask for a nurse.
- Need an appointment, no family doctor: 811 option 3 or GAP numérique.
- Urgent but not critical, island of Montreal resident: consider the JGH’s virtual urgent care.
- Minor issue or medication question: your pharmacist.
Tech-savvy Quebecers have even built tools to track wait times; one developer created an app that follows ER waits and occupancy. And with respiratory season here, our guide to getting a free flu shot is a good way to stay out of the waiting room in the first place. More health and city news in our News section, and for winter safety, see our winter tire guide and ways to unwind. Prenez soin de vous.
More on MTL365
- ELEKTRA Biennale 2026: Video Games as Art, With 35 Playable Works at the Arsenal
- Eastern Final Eve: Everything to Know Before the Alouettes Host Saturday at Molson
- Charcuterie in Montreal: 9 Spots for a Great Board (and Where to Buy Your Own)
- More Montreal news on MTL365
Photo: Vreee / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources: CityNews / The Canadian Press, CTV News, Jewish General Hospital, GAP numérique, CTV News (wait times), CTV News (app)
