Santé Québec says digital health record will finally roll out in spring 2026

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube announces the nomination of Genevieve Biron, left, head of Sante Quebec, and Frederic Abergel, head of operations, Monday, April 29, 2024 in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

After announcing its postponement in October, Santé Québec confirmed that the rollout of the Digital Health Record (DSN) will finally take place on May 9, 2026.

This will initially involve the pilot projects that were planned for this autumn in the Montreal North and Mauricie-et-Centre-du-Québec health and social service centres (CIUSSSs).

Santé Québec did not cite cost overruns as the reason for the project is being postponed. Instead, the Crown corporation justifies the decision by saying that it was essential to “bring together all the winning conditions necessary for the success of this major digital transformation.”

The day after the announcement of the DSN postponement, opposition parties expressed fears of another SAAQclic fiasco with cost overruns. The Liberal Party (PLQ) had also asked the National Assembly’s Health and Social Services Committee to look into the management of the digital shift within the health network.

At the time of the postponement announcement on Oct. 2, 2025, the estimated cost of the project was $307 million, according to information made public on the Quebec government’s Information Resources Project Dashboard. Today, the dashboard shows that the estimated cost is $402 million. To date, $279 million has been spent.

The dashboard also indicates that the project is 76 per cent complete. The government describes the DSN project on its website as follows: “The DSN represents a major break with traditional systems: it replaces faxes, paper forms and manual scanning with a smart, fluid and interoperable digital platform. It allows clinicians to receive real-time alerts, avoid duplicate tests, better coordinate care and improve patient safety. It transforms clinical, support and administrative practices, while empowering citizens.”

In a news release issued on Wednesday, Erika Bially, vice-president of information technology at Santé Québec, explained that the adjustment period was used to “optimize design and configuration work, consolidate clinical content and put in place the essential conditions for successful deployment.”

She added that “the chosen path is better aligned with the operational realities of the two showcase institutions and aims to ensure a smoother and more secure transition for both professionals and the public.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Dec. 10, 2025.

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