Quebec’s family doctors have reached a preliminary agreement with the province just weeks before the contentious reforms, which had threatened clinic closures and GPs leaving for other provinces, were set to be enforced. The Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ) and the Quebec government disclosed the tentative deal on Thursday morning after months of disagreement over Bill 2, a law linking a portion of doctors’ salaries to collective performance goals.
Amid concerns that the reforms would render the financial model of many family medicine clinics across Quebec unfeasible, leading to closures, hundreds of doctors sought licenses in Ontario and other provinces. The FMOQ expressed gratitude to Premier François Legault for initiating negotiations to prevent the departure of Quebec family doctors and enhance access to family medicine for Quebecers.
The agreement will be presented to FMOQ members for review starting Friday, followed by a vote in the ensuing days. The federation emphasized the importance of family doctors’ commitment and motivation for the frontline healthcare and the well-being of Quebec’s population, considering the agreement as a significant step in the right direction.
Treasury Board President of Quebec, France-Élaine Duranceau, refrained from divulging specific details of the deal but reiterated that the primary aim of Bill 2 was to alter doctors’ compensation methods and broaden access to GPs for Quebec residents. The implementation of Bill 2, initially slated for January 1, has been postponed to February 28 to allow doctors time to evaluate the preliminary agreement, with potential amendments to the legislation pending approval.
Health Minister Christian Dubé highlighted that Quebecers would be the ultimate beneficiaries of the deal. The impact on the continuity of family medicine clinics, known as GMFs, remains uncertain following the agreement.
While doctors are currently reviewing the agreement, the head of several GMFs declined to comment, respecting the FMOQ’s request to refrain from interviews until the deal is presented. Dr. Robert Pilarski, a family physician at La Licorne clinic in downtown Montreal, expressed relief over the agreement, indicating that the clinic would have faced closure if the reforms had proceeded as planned.
Despite the tentative agreement, opposition party Québec Solidaire’s co-spokesperson, Ruba Ghazal, criticized the process, labeling it a failure that has disrupted the healthcare system and created challenges for patients. Negotiations with the province’s medical specialists, also impacted by Bill 2, are ongoing with the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ).
The Quebec government continues to address the unresolved issues with medical specialists while the agreement with family doctors is being finalized.