Quebec emergency rooms remain under significant pressure, with province-wide stretcher occupancy at 110 per cent and an average wait of 5 hours 24 minutes for non-priority patients, according to the latest figures published by the Quebec government.
The provincial dashboard showed 2,956 people in emergency departments and 787 waiting to see a doctor when the figures were accessed on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The data can change quickly as patients arrive, receive treatment or are transferred to hospital beds.
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Quebec Emergency Rooms: Several hospitals report waits of 10 hours or more
The pressure is most visible in several large urban hospitals and regional centres.
At Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne in Longueuil, the estimated wait for a non-priority patient was 12 hours 24 minutes, while stretcher occupancy stood at 105 per cent.
Hôpital de Saint-Eustache reported an estimated wait of 14 hours 19 minutes, with stretcher occupancy at 143 per cent.
At Hôpital de Saint-Jérôme, the estimated wait was 10 hours 24 minutes and stretcher occupancy reached 162 per cent.
The Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal reported an estimated wait of 11 hours 46 minutes, with occupancy at 118 per cent.
Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont reported a wait of about 7 hours 48 minutes and occupancy of 120 per cent.
Urgences Québec provides live emergency-room information.
Conditions also varied significantly between hospitals.
Some facilities reported lower occupancy levels, while others were classified as crowded, saturated or critical on the province’s live emergency-room monitoring service.
Province-wide figures show pressure beyond Montreal
The situation was not limited to Montreal.
Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus in Quebec City reported 100 per cent stretcher occupancy, while Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis recorded 137 per cent occupancy.
In Sherbrooke, the CHUS Hôtel-Dieu reported 134 per cent occupancy and an estimated wait of nearly 10 hours.
Hôpital du Haut-Richelieu in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu reported 127 per cent occupancy and a wait of more than 11 hours.
The provincial average stay for patients waiting in the emergency-room area was 5 hours 24 minutes based on the previous day’s data.
For patients waiting on stretchers, the average stay was 17 hours 51 minutes.
Why emergency-room waits can change quickly
The government’s estimates apply to non-priority patients waiting to see a doctor.
They do not represent a guaranteed maximum wait time.
Patients are assessed by a triage nurse using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale.
People with life-threatening symptoms or conditions requiring immediate care are treated ahead of patients whose conditions are less urgent, even if they arrive later.
Quebec warns that estimated wait times can change rapidly when patients requiring urgent treatment arrive.
The figures may also differ from the actual wait experienced by someone who reaches a hospital later in the day.
When to call 811 or go to an emergency room
Quebec advises people to call Info-Santé 811 when they are unsure whether a health problem requires emergency care.
A nurse can provide guidance and help determine whether a person should seek medical attention quickly.
The province says emergency departments should be used for potentially serious conditions, including severe breathing problems, strong chest or abdominal pain, serious trauma or a mental-health crisis that creates a danger to the person or others.
For minor or stable problems, such as a mild allergic reaction, uncomplicated gastroenteritis, moderate stable pain or a sore throat, Quebec recommends considering 811, a same-day or next-day medical appointment or a pharmacist where appropriate.
Anyone facing an immediate threat to life should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Live data remains available before leaving home
The Quebec government and the Urgences Québec service publish regularly updated information on emergency-room occupancy, the number of patients waiting and estimated waits for non-priority cases.
Urgences Québec says its dashboard is updated hourly and covers emergency departments across the province.
Because conditions can shift quickly, patients should check the latest information shortly before travelling, while remembering that serious symptoms require immediate care regardless of the posted wait.
Santé Québec has also said there are currently no temporary service adjustments in effect under its 2026 summer reorganization notice, although emergency-room conditions continue to vary by facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average emergency-room wait in Quebec?
The latest provincial dashboard figures showed an average wait of 5 hours 24 minutes for non-priority patients waiting to see a doctor.
Which Quebec hospitals reported the longest waits?
Among the hospitals listed in the latest update, Hôpital de Saint-Eustache reported an estimated wait of 14 hours 19 minutes, followed by Hôpital Charles-Le Moyne at 12 hours 24 minutes and the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal at 11 hours 46 minutes.
What does 110 per cent stretcher occupancy mean?
It means the number of patients occupying stretchers exceeded the department’s stated stretcher capacity. It is a measure of pressure on the emergency department, not a prediction of an individual patient’s wait.
When should someone call Info-Santé 811?
Call 811 when you are unsure whether a health problem requires emergency care or whether another health resource may be more appropriate.
When should someone go directly to an emergency room?
Go to the nearest emergency room for potentially life-threatening problems such as severe breathing difficulty, strong chest pain, serious trauma or a dangerous mental-health crisis. Call 911 if immediate assistance is needed.
Fact-Checked: Key figures and patient guidance were checked against Quebec government, Santé Québec and Urgences Québec information available on October 13, 2026.
Disclaimer: Emergency-room conditions and estimated waits can change quickly; call 911 for life-threatening situations and 811 for non-emergency health guidance.