More than 260 Quebec physicians have submitted applications to practice medicine in Ontario following the passage of controversial legislation that dramatically reforms doctor compensation and imposes severe financial penalties for organized protests against government health policies.
Mass Exodus Following Legislative Changes
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario reported receiving 263 applications from Quebec doctors since October 23, 2025, representing a massive surge compared to the mere 19 applications processed between June 1 and October 22 of this year. According to data provided to CBC News, 35 physicians have already received approval for their Ontario practice certificates, with many more applications pending review.
The dramatic increase in cross-province applications comes directly after Quebec's National Assembly passed Bill 2 on October 25 with a vote of 63 to 27. Premier Francois Legault called a special legislative session to rapidly advance the controversial health reform legislation.
What Bill 2 Means for Quebec Physicians
The new legislation, scheduled to take effect in early 2026, introduces several fundamental changes to how Quebec doctors practice medicine and receive compensation:
- Performance-based pay linking physician compensation to specific patient care targets
- Daily fines up to $500,000 for doctors participating in "concerted action" challenging government health policies
- Increased emphasis on caring for vulnerable patient populations
- Requirements to expand patient access during evenings and weekends
Medical professionals across Quebec have expressed strong opposition to the new law, arguing it will reduce the time they can devote to individual patients and ultimately harm the province's healthcare system.
Historic Protest at Bell Centre
Thousands of Quebec doctors and medical students gathered at Montreal's Bell Centre in early November for what organizers described as a historic protest against the legislation. The atmosphere resembled a rock concert more than a traditional demonstration, with participants chanting "Enough is enough!" throughout the event.
Dr. Vincent Oliva, president of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec, declared the gathering marked the beginning of a sustained movement against the legislation. "Bill 2 is a disaster," Oliva stated during the protest. "It's a failed law they must suspend, and put out the fire that they have lit themselves."
The CPSO noted that among the physicians seeking to relocate to Ontario, more than half are family physicians, with the remainder representing various specialties including pediatrics, radiology, anesthesiology, and general practice.
Government Stands Firm Amid Growing Crisis
Despite the massive protest and growing physician exodus, Premier Legault has shown no indication of reconsidering the controversial health reforms. The premier told reporters he would prefer doctors send representatives to negotiate with the government rather than organizing large-scale demonstrations.
"We adopted Bill 2 with the objective of giving more services to Quebecers," Legault emphasized, pointing to the 1.5 million Quebec residents without family doctors and limited access to evening and weekend medical care.
The premier firmly denied allegations that the legislation aims to reduce Quebec's healthcare budget, stating "There will be no reduction in the Quebec health budget" and reiterating that the government wants to redirect resources to improve patient access.
The Ontario Medical Association has expressed solidarity with Quebec physicians while emphasizing the importance of maintaining healthcare stability across provinces. "The OMA supports efforts to improve physician mobility," the association stated, "but this must never come at the expense of patient access or the stability of another province's health system."
As the January 2026 implementation date approaches, healthcare stakeholders across Canada are closely monitoring whether the Quebec government and medical professionals can reach a compromise that addresses both patient access concerns and physician working conditions.
