The Quebec Professional Order of Physicians Urges Suspension of Controversial Pay-Performance Law
Quebec’s professional order of physicians is advocating for the immediate suspension of a provincial law that links doctors’ compensation to performance targets and imposes penalties for actions that may impact patient care.
In a recent public statement, the college expressed concerns that the law could have detrimental effects contrary to the government’s intentions, warning of potential harm to the health-care system and decreased accessibility to services.
The Quebec government defends the reforms as essential to enhancing healthcare access, citing a significant number of Quebecers lacking a primary care physician. Despite being passed just a week ago, the law has encountered fierce opposition from the province’s doctor associations, who object to provisions aimed at curbing their collective bargaining power.
One contentious aspect of the law stipulates that doctors could face substantial fines, potentially up to $20,000 daily, for engaging in joint actions, such as refusing to teach medical students or relocating in groups.
The ensuing backlash has stirred political upheaval, leading to the resignation of Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant in protest against the legislation.
Furthermore, medical students at prominent universities including Université de Sherbrooke, Université de Montréal, Université Laval, and McGill University have voted in support of potential strike mandates in response to the law.
Meanwhile, the federation representing medical specialists has initiated legal action by filing a request in Superior Court for a temporary halt to the law, with a hearing scheduled for the upcoming week.
Published by The Canadian Press on October 31, 2025.
