Negotiations between the Quebec government and family doctors have hit a roadblock once again, just weeks before the implementation of contentious reforms that doctors claim could lead to clinic closures or a mass exodus from the province.
The Legault government and the Quebec Federation of General Practitioners (FMOQ) resumed discussions after the passing of Bill 2 in October, a special legislation proposed by Health Minister Christian Dubé. However, it was disclosed on Thursday that the talks have collapsed.
Stéphane Gosselin, a spokesperson for the FMOQ, expressed frustration, stating, “Nothing is progressing. The government is standing firm on its legislation.” Meanwhile, France-Élaine Duranceau, Quebec’s Treasury Board president, expressed disappointment over the FMOQ’s withdrawal from the negotiating table, emphasizing that the government is willing to consider modifications.
The enactment of Bill 2 has stirred up outrage within the medical community due to the reforms themselves and the unusual use of closure tactics by the government to push the bill through. Family medicine clinics across Quebec have issued warnings about potential closures unless adjustments are made to the legislation, with a significant number of doctors applying for licenses to practice in Ontario.
One of the main areas of contention revolves around changes in the payment structure for physicians under Bill 2, where a portion of their pay would be linked to collective performance targets, a system strongly opposed by family doctors who fear being overwhelmed by patient numbers. Despite the government’s assurance of not enforcing penalties immediately, doctors remain resistant to provisions allowing for sanctions if performance targets are not met.
The Quebec Federation of Medical Specialists (FMSQ), representing the province’s medical specialists, also stands to be impacted by the law. They have declined to resume negotiations post the bill’s passage and are concentrating on their legal challenge against Bill 2. Legal actions are concurrently underway with the FMOQ and the Quebec Federation of Medical Students (FMEQ) seeking court intervention in the dispute.
