Over 10,000 Protest Quebec’s Controversial Doctor Pay Law

UPDATE: Over 12,500 protesters flooded Montreal’s Bell Centre on October 29, 2023, demanding an immediate halt to a controversial new law altering physician payment in Quebec. The massive rally, organized by four medical federations, targeted Bill 2, which was pushed through the National Assembly by Premier François Legault late last month.

URGENT: This escalating conflict has profound implications for Quebec’s healthcare system as doctors warn that the law will drive practitioners out of the province and worsen patient care. “This is a united message telling Legault and Health Minister Christian Dubé to suspend Bill 2,” stated Dr. Marc-André Amyot, president of the Federation of General Practitioners of Quebec, just before the protest began.

The legislation ties part of physicians’ remuneration to performance targets, threatening fines of up to $20,000 per day for those who resist the changes. Critics argue the law prioritizes quantity over quality, leading to “fast-food” care that could harm patients. “This new law won’t help our health system,” said Juliet Kemp, an emergency physician who attended the rally. “We don’t think we’ll be able to keep our clinics open.”

Demonstrators arrived from across Quebec, with 17 buses transporting participants from as far as Rimouski and Trois-Rivières. The event featured a performance by a band called The Doc Show, made up of doctors themselves, and included speeches from leaders representing nearly 30,000 medical professionals.

As tensions rise, Health Minister Dube announced on October 24 that some provisions of the bill would be suspended in response to the overwhelming backlash. The law, passed on October 25, links 10 percent of physician salaries to the number of patients seen, which Legault claims will help the 1.5 million Quebecers without a family doctor. However, doctors are challenging the law in court, arguing it infringes on their rights.

Former Premier Lucien Bouchard, now a negotiator for the Federation of Medical Specialists, emphasized at the rally that the government must recognize that “doctors won’t accept this law.” The protest follows a similar rally in Quebec City last weekend, signaling growing unrest within the medical community.

As the situation unfolds, the future of healthcare in Quebec hangs in the balance. Doctors are calling for urgent dialogue with the government to address their concerns. “Ultimately, it’s the population that will suffer the most from this law,” warned resident physician Araz Kouyoumdjian. The call for unity among healthcare professionals is louder than ever, and the stakes for patient care are critical.

Officials are expected to respond to the mounting pressure in the coming days. The medical community remains vigilant, prepared to escalate their efforts if necessary. Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.