I have seen firsthand how caring health-care workers are with their patients. My mother was admitted into the hospital nine days ago. She had a heart attack. Read More
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/urgence-emergency-in-french-sign-on-the-facade-of-a-hospital-in-montreal-canada.jpg?id=60384290&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=132%2C0%2C132%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>If it feels like a trip to the emergency room in Quebec takes all day, you're not alone. And while the province's long hospital wait times are not exactly breaking news, a new report shows just how much worse the wait is here compared to the rest of the country.</p><p><span></span>According to <a href="https://www.iedm.org/canadians-are-waiting-too-long-in-the-emergency-room/" target="_blank">fresh data from the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI)</a>, the median ER stay in Quebec is now 5 hours and 23 minutes — the longest in Canada by a long shot. For context, that's almost double the wait in Newfoundland and Labrador, where patients spend just 2 hours and 45 minutes on average.</p><p>The study looked at emergency room data across the country for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and found that wait times have been rising in most provinces since 2020. But Quebec consistently ranks near the bottom when it comes to timely care.</p> <p>Here's how median ER stays compared across Canada:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Newfoundland and Labrador:</strong> 2h45</li> <li> <strong>Alberta:</strong> 3h48</li> <li> <strong>Manitoba:</strong> 4h00</li> <li> <strong>Ontario:</strong> 4h00</li> <li> <strong>British Columbia:</strong> 4h13</li> <li> <strong>New Brunswick:</strong> 4h28</li> <li> <strong>Prince Edward Island:</strong> 4h36</li> <li> <strong>Quebec:</strong> 5h23</li> </ul> <p>(Data for Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia was not available.)</p><p>The report also highlighted specific examples, like Pavillon Albert-Prévost in Montreal, where the median length of stay for the majority of patients is over 13 hours, making it one of the worst in the country.</p><p>The MEI suggests that overcrowded ERs are partly the result of poor access to primary care and a lack of urgent care alternatives. It even points to France's model of "immediate care clinics" — private walk-in centres for minor emergencies — as one possible fix.</p><p>In the meantime, Quebecers are still facing packed emergency rooms across the province. ER occupancy rates have <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-hospital-capacity-er" target="_blank">regularly exceeded 120% in 2025, with several Greater Montreal hospitals topping 150%</a> — and some hitting even higher.</p><p>If you're hoping to avoid a long wait, <a href="https://www.indexsante.ca/urgences/" target="_blank">Index Santé</a> updates ER wait times and occupancy levels daily, so you can check which hospitals are the least crowded before heading out.</p><p>You can explore the entire MEI report <a href="https://www.iedm.org/canadians-are-waiting-too-long-in-the-emergency-room/" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><br/></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
Tunisian journalists protested on Tuesday to demand the release of prominent journalist Mohamed Yousfi, whose arrest has become a new flashpoint amid accusations that President…
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-hand-holding-canadian-money.jpg?id=59803048&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=132%2C0%2C132%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>If you're 65 or older and receiving retirement benefits from the Canadian government, your next <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/old-age-security" target="_blank">Old Age Security (OAS)</a> payment is just around the corner — and it's slightly higher than before.</p><p><span></span>OAS is one of the main federal programs helping seniors cover everyday costs in retirement. Payments are adjusted four times a year to account for inflation, and the latest increase kicked in for the July-to-September 2025 quarter.</p><p>Here's everything to know about this month's OAS deposit.</p><h3>What is OAS and who qualifies?</h3><br/><p>OAS is a monthly federal pension available to most Canadians aged 65 and up, regardless of work history. To qualify, you must:</p><ul><li>Be 65 or older</li><li>Have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after turning 18</li><li>Be a Canadian citizen or legal resident</li></ul><p>If you now live abroad, you may still qualify if you lived in Canada for at least 20 years as an adult.</p><p>Note: Higher-income seniors may see a partial repayment (known as a clawback) if their net annual income exceeds $148,541 (ages 65–74) or $154,196 (75+).</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security/eligibility.html" target="_blank">More about OAS eligibility</a></p><h3>When will July's OAS deposit land?</h3><br/><p>Your OAS should arrive on <strong>Tuesday, July 29, 2025</strong> — a date that falls within Service Canada's typical end-of-month window. If you've signed up for direct deposit, the funds will show up in your bank account that day. </p><p>If you receive payments by cheque, it should arrive in the mail by then, though delays are always possible. Direct deposit is the safest and fastest option.</p><h3>How much are seniors getting now?</h3><br/><p>With the new rates in effect, the maximum OAS payments are:</p><ul><li><strong>$734.95/month</strong> for those aged <strong>65 to 74</strong></li><li><strong>$808.45/month</strong> for those aged <strong>75 and over</strong></li></ul><p>That’s a modest increase from the spring. OAS rates are reviewed quarterly — in January, April, July and October — and while they can rise with inflation, they never decrease.</p><p>If you also qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or Allowance programs, your total monthly benefit could surpass $1,800, depending on your income and household status.</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security/benefit-amount.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">More about OAS payment amounts</a></p><h3>How do you sign up?</h3><br/><p>Many people are automatically enrolled and receive a letter from Service Canada around their 64th birthday. If you don't get one, or if you need to apply manually, you can:</p><ul> <li>Apply online through your My Service Canada Account</li><li>Submit a paper form by mail</li><li>Visit a Service Canada office in person</li></ul><p> You can choose to start OAS any time after you turn 65, up to age 70. Delaying increases your monthly payment permanently.</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security/apply.html" target="_blank">More about applying for OAS</a></p><h3>Is OAS taxable?</h3><br/><p>Yes. OAS is considered taxable income. Unless you ask for tax to be withheld, nothing will be deducted at source, which could leave you with a tax bill later. To avoid surprises, you can set up voluntary deductions through your online account or by sending in a request form.</p><p><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/old-age-security/while-receiving.html#h2.3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">More about OAS and your taxes</a></p><h2>Remaining 2025 OAS payment dates</h2> <ul> <li> August 27</li> <li> September 25</li> <li> October 29</li> <li> November 26</li> <li> December 22</li> </ul> <p>If you receive payments by mail, keep an eye out around those dates. Direct deposit remains the most reliable way to avoid delays.</p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
