Negotiations over a contentious new payment model for Quebec's physicians have resumed, entering an intensive weekend "blitz" following a high-stakes meeting between Premier François Legault and the leaders of the province's doctors' federations.
Talks Restart After Breakdown
Premier François Legault convened a meeting on Friday with Dr. Marc-André Amyot, president of the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ), and Dr. Vincent Oliva, president of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ). This meeting aimed to restart discussions on Bill 2, a proposed law that would impose a new remuneration structure on the province's doctors. The talks had broken down just one day earlier, on Thursday, after physician representatives accused the government of simply expecting them to agree to the law as written.
Doctors have expressed significant concerns with the current draft of Bill 2, which includes obligations to register more patients and imposes strict penalties for non-compliance. The medical federations stated that during a meeting the previous week, Premier Legault had led them to believe the government was open to making substantial changes to the legislation.
Weekend Negotiation Marathon Begins
Following Friday's discussions, Dr. Amyot announced that negotiations would now move into a rapid-fire "blitz" phase, with both sides committing to work through the weekend. The FMOQ represents approximately 10,000 general practitioners (GPs) in Quebec, while the FMSQ brings together 36 affiliated associations representing about 11,000 medical specialists.
In a statement released after his meeting with the premier, Dr. Amyot said, "Friday’s meeting with the premier allowed for the reiteration of the commitments made last week. The mandate is clear, and the two parties are confident that the orientations agreed upon will be fully reflected at the bargaining table. Now the negotiation blitz begins." An aide to Dr. Amyot confirmed that talks are expected to continue non-stop through the weekend.
High Stakes for Quebec's Healthcare System
The outcome of these accelerated negotiations carries significant weight for Quebec's healthcare landscape. Bill 2 is central to the provincial government's strategy to improve access to family doctors and specialist care for thousands of patients on waiting lists. The government's push for a new payment model is framed as a necessary reform to tie physician compensation more directly to patient care and system performance.
However, the medical federations have argued that the law's punitive measures and rigid patient quotas are unworkable and could further strain the doctor-patient relationship. The weekend negotiation marathon represents a critical effort to bridge this gap before the legislative process advances further. The resumption of talks indicates a mutual, albeit urgent, desire to find a compromise on one of the most sensitive issues in Quebec's public health sector.
