According to Gerald Savoie, hospital president, patient transfers were moved from Friday to Monday to allow full implementation and testing of the first phase's electrical system.
Savoie apologized to the patients and their families for making last-minute schedule changes at Thursday's sneak preview for the media.
The entire project, estimated to cost $300 million, will triple the size of the medical facility to 750,000 square feet. Montfort is considered the only French teaching hospital west of Quebec. It was built in 1953.
Savoie said, "We must not only relocate personnel and implement new practices, but also transfer all of our patients to brand-new facilities fitted out with ultra-modern equipment and technology, and we must do so without any interruption of service."
While civil works are ongoing as part of the renovation of the old building, some hospital departments will share offices.
Montfort plans to establish a research institute dedicated to improving the health of French communities in which researchers will work in a francophone environment to develop, apply and disseminate health information.
