The Quebec Federation of Family Doctors (FMOQ) has agreed to commence mediation discussions with Quebec City following Health Minister Christian Dubé’s pledge not to consider Bill 106 during the mediation process.
In a statement released late Wednesday, the FMOQ announced that they would be holding their first mediation meeting with the government that evening. This process aims to address the current and planned pressure tactics by family doctors.
The government and doctors have been at odds over Bill 106, which seeks to tie a portion of doctors’ pay to collective performance indicators. The FMOQ has been steadfast in its demand for the withdrawal of the bill.
Last week, Health Minister Dubé and Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau reached out to the doctors’ federations to propose a mediation process. While the Quebec Federation of Medical Specialists (FMSQ) agreed to mediation on Tuesday, they are continuing their teaching boycott.
Minister Dubé emphasized the importance of moving forward with mediation to address the ongoing pressure tactics. The Quebec Student Medical Federation (FMEQ) expressed concerns about the impact of the boycott on future doctors’ training and called for the withdrawal of Bill 106 or mediation/arbitration as solutions.
The FMEQ opposes the “collective responsibility” aspects of the bill, citing potential strain on already saturated clinical settings like GMFs. FMEQ President Maxence Pelletier-Lebrun highlighted the challenges that could arise from adding more patients without additional resources.
