APTS IN THE NEWS
Robert Comeau denounces the labour shortage in the health and social services system

The APTS paints a disturbing picture of the labour shortage in health and social services in Le Devoir’s September 3 report on the labour movement. “In Gaspésie, hospital labs lost half their team, almost causing the institution to shut down,” says APTS president Robert Comeau. “In Montérégie, you can’t get an appointment with a children’s speech language pathologist or audiologist. In the Outaouais, we’re seeing lab technicians quitting in droves to go work in Ottawa. And in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, they built new oncology facilities for patients from the region, but they’re not able to staff them. […] People are deserting because the working conditions just aren’t what they should be, and neither is the pay.” It’s time for the government to restore hope by sending a clear signal that it’s committed to improving the situation for employees.

L’APTS est préoccupée par la pénurie de personnel en santé | Le Devoir

QUÉBEC ELECTIONS
What the parties say they'll do for the health and social services system?

Investing in health and social services, decentralizing the system, recognizing the contribution of technical and professional employees – these are topics that deserve attention during an election campaign. To understand each party’s position on the issues you care about, we asked them what they were going to do and put the answers on our website. We hope this will help you make your choice on October 3.

The APTS team in the Estrie region is organizing a debate between representatives of each party. The event will take place on September 13 at 6 p.m., and you can watch it live on the APTS Estrie Facebook page.

There will also be a debate in the Montérégie region at 6:30 p.m. on September 20. You can attend in person at L’Ancêtre, a restaurant in Saint-Hubert, or watch it on the APTS Montérégie Est, Montérégie-Ouest or Montérégie-Centre Facebook pages.

ORGANIZATION OF WORK AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
Is technology neutral?

Technological resources such as artificial intelligence (AI) are often presented as ways of avoiding human error. However, machine learning algorithms have a strong tendency to repeat our errors or even to aggravate them by developing what are known as algorithmic biases. Our latest AI in Focus factsheet will tell you how to spot these biases – and how to avoid them.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
Your health and safety at work: a basic principle and right

The International Labour Conference (ILO), a UN agency, is adding safety and health to its list of fundamental principles and rights at work. The decision voted June 10, 2022, means that all ILO member states are committed to respecting and promoting the basic right to a safe and healthy working environment, even if they haven’t ratified the relevant conventions.The APTS applauds this landmark decision.

For more information: https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_848132/lang--en/index.htm

COMMUNICATIONS
Give your profession a human face!

Want to help boost your profession’s visibility? We’re looking for photos of our members working as:

• Head of module
• Counsellor for maladjusted children
• Guidance counsellor
• Physical educator / Kinesiologist
• Physiotherapist
• Community recreation leadership technician
• Medical imaging technologist
• Physiotherapist

Your photos will be published on the APTS website and social media during the week or day celebrating your profession.

If you’re interested, send us your pictures at info@aptsq.com: one or two passport-style photos that clearly show your face, or a photo of you at work. Don’t forget to indicate your job title and institution. We won’t be able to feature every photo, but if we don’t use them, we’ll keep them for another time.