Coalition Avenir Qubec promises new Outaouais hospital

The opposition Coalition Avenir Qubec is promising to build a new hospital in western Quebec in their first term in power if elected this fall.

Leader FranoisLegault was in Gatineau Sunday, saying the location of the hospital hasn't been determined and it would be at least 170 beds.

He didn't mention a cost.

Legault said waiting times at the Gatineau and Hull hospitals are unacceptable andcosts Quebec too much to reimburse Ontario for patients who seek care in nearby communities such as Ottawa andHawkesbury.

Liberal MNAAndr Fortinsaid it's more important to spend money addressing the shortage of healthcare workers in the region.

"We can build four walls, but if we don't have the people to serve the citizens inside these walls we won't [be better]," Fortin said.

Quebec's election campaign officially starts Thursday.

The election is Oct. 1.