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Montreal may be home to some of the world’s top hospitals, but we certainly aren’t getting any points for our waiting room times.
According to data from Index Santé, Quebec’s ERs have been overwhelmed since early January, but the situation in Greater Montreal is even more intense.
As of March 10, 2025, the province’s average emergency room occupancy was 120%, but multiple hospitals in and around Montreal were operating at over 150% capacity — with some way beyond that.
Where ERs are most overwhelmed
On the North Shore, Hôpital de Saint-Jérôme was the most overloaded, with an occupancy rate of 206%, meaning more than double the number of available stretchers were in use. Over in Saint-Eustache, the ER was at 154% capacity, with 54 patients for 35 stretchers.
On the island of Montreal, the most overwhelmed ER was at Lakeshore General Hospital, operating at 171% capacity (53 patients for 31 stretchers). Several other hospitals also far exceeded the provincial average:
- Jewish General Hospital – 192%
- Royal Victoria Hospital (MUHC – Glen Site) – 167%
- Verdun Hospital – 154%
- Santa Cabrini Hospital – 150%
On the South Shore, Hôtel-Dieu de Sorel was nearing 188% capacity (32 patients for 17 stretchers), while Anna-Laberge Hospital in Châteauguay had 49 patients for 32 available beds.
How long are ER wait times?
According to updated government data, as of March 10, the average ER stay in Quebec was 4 hours and 41 minutes, but patients waiting on stretchers were stuck there for an average of 16 hours and 45 minutes.
Health officials are urging the public to consider other options before heading to the ER, such as booking an appointment with a family doctor through Rendez-vous Santé or calling Info-Santé (811). Just keep in mind that as of publication, the wait time for 811 was already 1 hour and 30 minutes.
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