Quebec City Obstetrics and Gynecology Center Avoids Closure with Relocation
Quebec City’s Centre d’obstétrique et de gynécologie de la Cité (COG de la Cité) has narrowly avoided closure, securing a future through a planned relocation to Lebourgneuf by March 31, 2026. The move comes after a period of financial uncertainty and a looming deadline that threatened the center’s ability to continue providing essential obstetric and gynecological services to the region. The center, which typically follows around 1500 pregnancies annually, was facing closure due to “underfunding” and rising operational costs, according to reports. This relocation ensures continued access to specialized care for expectant mothers and women in the Quebec City area, though challenges remain regarding broader access to gynecological services.
The crisis stemmed from the expiration of a favorable contract and the need to adapt to prevailing market prices. Dr. Vanessa Picard Fortin, obstétricienne-gynécologue and head of the COG de la Cité, explained that the center was forced to cease accepting new pregnancy follow-ups as of October 1, 2026, to ensure continuity of care for existing patients through delivery. While a portion of these pregnancies will continue to be monitored as high-risk cases, the majority of patients will need to seek care from the primary healthcare system in Quebec City. This situation exacerbates an already strained system, with an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 patients currently on waiting lists for gynecological services in the region.
A 30-Year Legacy and Forced Displacement
For three decades, the COG de la Cité has served as the largest obstetrics and gynecology clinic in eastern Quebec. Dr. Picard Fortin emphasized the center’s significant role in the community, stating that it has been a vital resource for women’s healthcare. However, the center’s future was thrown into jeopardy when Trudel Corporation announced plans for renovations to the Galeries Charlesbourg shopping center, where the clinic is currently located. As reported by the Journal de Québec, this announcement effectively forced the center to seek a new location.
