A fresh assessment of Quebec’s hospital network paints a troubling picture. The number of medical buildings considered to be in poor condition has more than doubled in just one year, revealing infrastructure problems far deeper than previously understood.Data updated by Santé Québec and compiled by Radio Canada shows that 38 per cent of the province’s 594 hospital buildings were rated either poor or very poor by early 2026.In early 2025, about 100 buildings fell into those categories. A year later, that number rose sharply to 227.Repair Costs Surge Past $2 BillionThe deteriorating conditions have dramatically increased repair costs. The hospital maintenance backlog, once estimated at about 900 million dollars last year, has now crossed 2 billion dollars.Officials say the numbers reflect years of aging infrastructure and delayed evaluations rather than a sudden collapse in a single year.Montreal Hospitals Among The Worst AffectedNearly half of the most deteriorated hospitals are located in Montreal.The Montreal General Hospital now ranks as the worst facility in the province. Last year it held a B rating, meaning good condition. This year it fell to E, the lowest possible grade, indicating very bad condition.Colleen Timm, executive director of the McGill University Health Centre, described the situation as critical. She said the hospital has recorded 260 water leaks since early 2024, some affecting patient care directly.According to Timm, the building’s plumbing and electrical systems must be completely replaced. The estimated maintenance deficit for that hospital alone is about 249 million dollars.The Douglas Mental Health University Institute, which recently experienced burst water pipes, is also among the most deteriorated sites.Problems Seen Across The ProvinceThe issue extends beyond Montreal. Santé Québec figures show several other facilities also need major repairs.The Douglas Mental Health Institute in Montreal, the Hôtel Dieu de Québec in Quebec City and the Saint Jérôme regional hospital each require roughly 100 million dollars in work.Sonia Dugas, vice president of finance at Santé Québec, called the rapid rise in poor ratings worrying. She explained the increase is partly due to a long overdue update of infrastructure data that had not been properly evaluated for years.The goal, she said, is to get an accurate picture so budgets can be prioritized correctly.Aging Buildings Before New OnesOfficials now say the province must focus on maintaining older facilities before expanding the network.Santé Québec currently has about 1 billion dollars available for maintenance, but Dugas acknowledged the real repair costs will likely be at least double that amount.The findings suggest Quebec faces a long and expensive effort to modernize hospitals that millions rely on for care.