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On January 22, 2026, the CISSS de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue received guidelines from the headquarters of Santé Québec clarifying the transitional arrangement that will be implemented to facilitate access to health services in Ontario for residents of southern Témiscamingue.

This arrangement stipulates that residents wishing to access health services in Ontario must inform the CISSS de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, which will help document the situation. Furthermore, residents will be guided so that the institution can provide support with billing and compensate for the difference in rates for the services concerned. This temporary arrangement will be in place until a permanent solution is adopted, following the work of a working committee.

Early next week, the CISSS of Abitibi-Témiscamingue will communicate with the public to clarify the implementation procedures that will be put in place in the following days. You are encouraged to stay tuned for further communications on the institution's website and Facebook page.

If you have any questions : transfertmedtk@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Cold weather generally means an increase in infections and higher patient volume in emergency rooms. To help you avoid unnecessary wait times, the CISSS of Abitibi-Témiscamingue offers a guide to assess the severity of your health problem and limit the spread of viruses.

What should I do about my health problem?

Learn more about the infection you have

In the fall and winter, respiratory viruses such as the flu (influenza) or COVID-19 are at their most prevalent. If you have one of these infections or another common health problem, learn about how to treat it at home, what symptoms to watch for, and when you should see a healthcare professional. You can find this information in the Tools section on the Alternatives to Emergency Room page.

Learn about alternatives to emergency care

If you or someone close to you has contracted a virus, learn about the medical resources and services available outside of the emergency room by visiting the Alternatives to the Emergency Room page . Pharmacies , in particular, offer a wide range of services that may save you a visit to the doctor.

Learn more about how the emergency services work

Do you feel your condition requires a visit to the emergency room? Consult the pages Before You Go to the Emergency Room and The Emergency Room and How It Works to learn what a visit there entails and what the different triage codes mean. If you are unsure, don't hesitate to contact Info-Santé 811 so that a qualified professional can direct you to the appropriate healthcare service.

When temperatures drop, viruses circulate more easily, and the simplest way to protect yourself is to wash your hands frequently. To learn more about good hand hygiene practices, see the page Hand Hygiene: A Shared Responsibility .

In an effort to provide the public with accurate and comprehensive information, the Integrated Health and Social Services Centre (CISSS) of Abitibi-Témiscamingue would like to address some of the issues raised on social media regarding the service disruption in Ontario.

 If you were receiving care in Ontario and it was interrupted without a transfer to services in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, we encourage you to:

1. Complete the form (English version). For support, call 819-627-3385, ext. 0;
2. Request a copy of your medical records from your doctor;
3. Send the form and your medical file to transfermedtk@ssss.gouv.qc.ca or bring them to the reception desk at the Témiscaming-Kipawa Multiservice Health and Social Services Centre so that information about your needs can be forwarded to the appropriate authorities and you can receive regional care.

Please note that the Service Quality and Complaints Commissioner cannot monitor requests for the transfer of medical records in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Each person involved must take steps to ensure the transfer of their medical care and can only be carried out by the person affected by a service interruption.

If you have other concerns about medical services in Ontario, consult the Questions and Answers section.

To read the press release on the subject : 

Access to health care in Ontario - The CISSS de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue correct the sharing of misinformation

August 1st 2025, the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue no longer manages the billing of Ontario physicians who provide services to residents of the Témiscaming and Kipawa sector. The establishment does not have the authority to conclude agreements regarding doctors billing between provinces and to contribute to their remuneration. This decision is intended to respect interprovincial agreements and practices applied throughout Quebec and to dedicate the funding the establishment receives to provide health services in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. 

Important facts to remember: 

• Urgent health services will still be provided by physicians in Ontario and accessible at all times to residents of Quebec; 

• For elective (non-urgent) services, the Ontario physician can decide whether to accept or refuse to treat a Quebec resident. When the physician agrees to provide medical services, they can either bill the patient directly or claim their fees from the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec ( RAMQ ). If the patient pays the fees directly, the RAMQ will reimburse them, but possibly at a lower amount. The difference could be covered by private insurance. 

• If a resident of the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region is refused access to non-urgent medical services in Ontario or if medical follow-up already started in Ontario is interrupted, the CISSS de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue is committed to meeting the health needs of the entire population of the Témiscaming and Kipawa sector. The need to continue medical follow-up on a priority basis, taking into account the clinical condition or ongoing treatments, will be met. 

If you are concerned about an interruption or continuity of services with an Ontario doctor, contact the institution by email at transfertmedtk@ssss.gouv.qc.ca or by telephone at 819 627-3385, ext. 0. 

For more information, see the Questions and Answers.