On June 20, 2026, the Quebec health authority announced a new requirement for individuals seeking executive positions within Santé Québec establishments. Candidates will now be required to complete extensive pre‑employment questionnaires that specifically inquire about personal mental‑health history and eating‑disorder concerns before any hiring decision is made.
The newly introduced forms are designed to gather detailed information on applicants’ mental‑health status and any past or present eating‑disorder issues. The agency has positioned the questionnaires as part of its screening process for senior‑level roles, aiming to assess factors that could affect job performance or workplace safety.
Critics have responded by describing the questionnaires as highly intrusive, arguing that the level of personal detail requested goes beyond typical pre‑employment screening practices. They contend that probing candidates about sensitive mental‑health and eating‑disorder matters may raise privacy concerns and could deter qualified professionals from applying for executive posts at the health agency.
The policy applies exclusively to executive‑level applicants at Santé Québec, the provincial health organization responsible for overseeing a network of health facilities and services throughout Quebec. No additional information about the number of questions, the format of the forms, or the specific data handling procedures has been released.
The introduction of these screening tools marks a shift in the agency’s hiring approach, reflecting a broader emphasis on assessing mental‑health considerations within the public‑sector workforce. As the requirement takes effect, both prospective candidates and advocacy groups are expected to monitor its implementation and any potential impact on recruitment and workplace culture.
The move has sparked a dialogue about the balance between employer interests in employee well‑being and the protection of personal health information in the hiring process, a conversation that is likely to continue as the policy is put into practice.