Quebec physicians are currently engaged in a bitter showdown with their provincial government. The fight has centered around a troubled bill that remakes their pay model. The new legislation increases the fines—up to $20,000 per day—against any physician collaborating to challenge federal policies. This is triggering alarm bells across the country among physicians. Most physicians would agree that the bill is a pay cut in disguise. As a result, many are looking for chances in different provinces, largely Ontario and New Brunswick.
A high-stakes showdown is developing in Quebec as the province’s medical specialists prepare to take on their government in court. They claim the bill infringes on personal liberties. The medical community is catching up with growing urgency. For most physicians, it feels like their lives and livelihoods are on the line.
In a move that would make the Cheshire cat grin, Doug Ford, Ontario Premier, has gone rogue. He even made a public call to Quebec doctors to come move to Ontario. Ford stated, “Call 1-800-Doug Ford, all the docs and come by, call me on my cellphone, it’s on the internet, people are taking advantage of it now.” He underscored Ontario’s hospitality by welcoming healthcare professionals with, “We’ll roll out the red carpet for you.”
The influx of Quebec doctors applying for licensure in New Brunswick has spiked in the past few months to historic levels. The applications from Quebec physicians continued to run low, dipping below 10 for each month of the year. This month, 34 physicians signed up for licences in Ontario. This increase is an indication of a booming new trend of departure among health care workers seeking better working conditions beyond the borders of Quebec.
New Brunswick Health Minister John Dornan acknowledged this trend, stating, “Quebec doctors are continuing to look at New Brunswick as a healthy place to work, be respected, work across teams.” He stressed that it’s bad form for other provinces to poach settled doctors. Methods such as paying more are bad faith acts.
Concerns about physician shortages across Canada have been raised by organizations such as the Canadian Medical Association and the Ontario Medical Association. Dr. Margot Burnell, president of the Canadian Medical Association, highlighted the urgency of addressing these shortages as provinces vie for medical talent.
In reaction to Ford’s statements and the continued boil dispute, Quebec Premier Francois Legault took to Twitter to call Ford “dishonorable.” He called Ford’s comments “totally unacceptable” and condemned them for showing “a total lack of judgment.” For his part, Legault stressed the importance of cooperation among provinces, not competition for healthcare workers.
The overblown bill and its fallout has made a lot of Quebec’s doctors re-evaluate what their future looks like in the province. The further impact of this evolving crisis begs the question as to the continuing robustness of our healthcare systems in Quebec and across the country.
While negotiations continue, obstacles keep stacking up. What either side wins or loses remains an open question, though their fight will affect patient care and access to medical services in Quebec and its adjacent Maritime provinces.
