Quebec family doctors end teaching boycott amid threat of special government law
A week after they stopped teaching medical students amid stalled contract negotiations, Quebec family doctors announced Thursday they are ending their teaching boycott.
The move comes a day after Quebec Premier François Legault warned the province’s doctors and medical experts that if no agreement is reached by Friday, his government will act. A special law to force changes in compensation and end pressure tactics.
Explaining its decision in a news release Federation des médecins omnipracticiens du Québec (FMOQ) said it “noted the call to end the boycott by Pablo Rodriguez, leader of the Quebec Liberal Party,” but was critical of the prime minister and his government.
FMOQ said it would have been better for Legault to “fulfill his role as premier”, adding that he should have “involved himself in the discussions to promote an agreement or appoint an independent mediator.”
Instead, FMOQ said that less than 24 hours after the government presented its “final proposal”, it “decided to announce special legislation.”
The federation reiterated its desire to continue intensive dialogue with the government, but expressed disappointment that the government did not wait for its response before threatening a special law.
Legault, meanwhile, said Thursday morning that the government would not move until significant progress was made with family doctors and medical experts.
“It is time for the government to stand up and finally change the way remuneration is done,” he said. Their goal is to improve access to health care services for Quebecers.
Health Minister Christian Duby said that while he understands there is resistance from doctors to change there is an “urgency” for action.
“So today, as a government that is responsible for patients, responsible for students, we take action, that’s what we will do tomorrow,” he said.
Fédération des médecins specialistes du Québec (FMSQ), which represents medical expert, The province’s fourth proposal for doctors has already been rejected. In which Bill 106 promised to address concerns over performance-based pay.
However, FMOQ has not yet presented the government’s latest offer to its members for a vote.
