Philippe Couillard must intervene in CHUM crisis, board member says

The Quebec premier's office must intervene to resolve the crisis at the University of Montreal Health Centre (CHUM) or risk losing more of its board of director members, said one of the resigning members, Michel Gervais.

LeDevoirnewspaper has reported Premier PhilippeCouillard's officeasked the superhospital board's resigningdirector, JacquesTurgeon, to resume his position at the helm of the hospital board.

"It's the only way the premier canin my opinionunblock the current impasse," said Gervais. "And I do not see many other ways to resolve that without Mr.Turgeon at the head ofCHUM."

Meanwhile, Gervais warns that "many" othersboard members will resign soon.

He said not all memberswere able to announce their resignation last Friday at a board of directors meeting, however, they plan todo so shortly.

Therelationship of trust is broken,-Michel Gervais, former CHUM board member

"There are some who do not have computers at their disposal, whowere far away, etc. But there will be many, believe me," he said.

Of the CHUM's 19 current board members,fivehave resigned since the beginning of the crisis:

• Jacques Turgeon
• Jean-Claude Deschnes
• Paul Perrotte
• Jean and Bragagnolo
• Michel Gervais

All said they were leaving their jobsto protest against"interference" and "abuse of power" fromHealth MinisterGatan Barrette.

• Opposition calls for Gatan Barrette to step down over CHUM resignations

Turgeon resigned last Thursday, accusing Gatan Barrette of having interfered in the process of finding a manager for the Department of Surgery.

According to him, the minister insisted that Patrick Harriswho currently holds this position be reappointed.

"This is blackmail and it is notacceptable in our democratic system," said Gervais.

Although Gervaissaid he believes thereturn ofTurgeon is the best outcome for the current crisis, he is still not confident in the board's ability to continueworking withBarrette.

"Therelationship of trust is broken," said Gervais.

Meanwhile,Gervais dismisses criticisms that board members could have agreed to stay on for the good of the institution.

"It wouldbe guiltby association, to accept the unacceptable," said Gervais. "We must move on...It's happening today at the CHUM, and tomorrow it will happen atanother institution."