A shift toward shared leadership among the healthcare network, municipalities, and the public
Par Myra Drolet, conseillère communication, Unité de soutien SSA Québec | Inspiré par le webinaire du 25 mai 2026 de la série Expériences du midi
Within the healthcare system, one idea is becoming increasingly clear: the need to transform our “system of health problems” into a “system of health” itself. In other words: promoting health, fostering well-being, and reducing inequalities.
Good news: the shift is underway, and coordinated actions are being taken in the Lanaudière region thanks to shared leadership among the Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS), municipalities, citizens, organizations, schools, local community health centers (CLSCs), and many other stakeholders. Here are a few examples:
- A training program for “becoming caring citizens” is being offered to the public
- Hairdressers are helping to identify people in distress or who are isolated
- Walking groups are being organized
- First aid courses are being offered to high school students
Moving from a sickness care system to a health care system
Philippe Éthier, Executive Director of the CISSS de Lanaudière, and Marylène Ricard, Assistant to the Deputy CEO for Access, Relevance, and Care Pathways at the same CISSS, explain that this approach is based on the fact that the healthcare system influences only some of the determinants of health. The rest depends on living conditions, the environment, social relationships, and habits.
The goal is therefore clear: to move beyond merely treating problems and instead focus on promoting health. How? Here are a few ideas.
Co-leadership
The healthcare network is not the only point of reference. The solution lies in shared leadership. Local roundtables bring together municipalities, institutions, organizations, schools, and citizens. They make decisions together.
Working Differently
Priorities come from the community, not from the organization. Each community develops its own solutions at its own pace.
The “No Wrong Door” Approach
Under the “no wrong door” concept, no matter where a person enters the system—whether through an organization, a school, or a municipality—they will find a listening ear and support.
Community-Driven Solutions
Training shop owners to recognize signs of isolation, offering first-aid courses to young people in schools, and adapting public spaces to encourage interaction: these are simple yet powerful actions.
Building a Strong Social Safety Net
A network that brings together community members, partners, and professionals makes it possible to quickly identify vulnerabilities and support people.
Measuring Success Differently
In Lanaudière, thanks to shared leadership among the health and social services network, municipalities, and the public, there has been an improvement in access to services, satisfaction, and care pathways—but above all, in the ability to reach people who were not seeking help.
Changing the culture
The shared leadership model between the health network, cities, and the public is transforming governance, shifting from a hierarchical structure to a collaborative approach centered on how residents use the region and how they perceive it.
An Approach with Great Potential
Each region must adapt this approach, but its success depends on key factors: trust, shared leadership, community engagement, and mobilization. When a community decides to take care of itself with the support of the network, anything is possible!
Watch a webinar on the Lanaudière iniative using automatic translated subtitles here.