Quebec's 811 health line faces 109-minute waits as flu season approaches
Average wait times to reach a nurse on Info-Santé 811 have climbed to 109 minutes as of mid-October. The province is testing AI tools and adding staff ahead of the busy winter months.
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Quebecers calling the provincial health line Info-Santé 811 are facing significantly longer waits this fall. As of October 17, the average time to reach a nurse has climbed to 109 minutes, up nearly 30 minutes from the start of October, according to Santé Québec.
The situation is expected to worsen. November through March typically see the highest call volumes, and Santé Québec is preparing staff and resources accordingly. The longest wait time recorded in the past four years was nearly two and a half hours, recorded on December 27, 2025. The line handles roughly two million calls annually.
In response, Santé Québec is increasing staffing and testing a new AI-powered tool designed to help non-clinical agents handle calls about influenza and gastroenteritis—the two most common reasons for calls in winter. The tool is intended to free nurses to focus on more complex cases.
This continues a troubling trend of steadily increasing wait times over recent years.
The facts
What's the average wait time on Quebec's 811 health line right now?
As of October 17, 2026, the average wait time to reach a nurse on Info-Santé 811 is 109 minutes.
When does Quebec's health line typically get busiest?
Info-Santé 811 typically experiences the highest call volumes from November through March.
What is Santé Québec doing to handle increased demand?
Santé Québec is increasing staffing and testing an AI-powered tool designed to help non-clinical agents handle calls about influenza and gastroenteritis, freeing nurses to focus on more complex cases.
