Health Minister Christian Dubé’s new legislation, known as Bill 2, is facing a significant legal challenge in court today. The Quebec Federation of Medical Students (FMEQ), representing medical student associations from prominent universities such as Montreal, McGill, Laval, and Sherbrooke, is petitioning the Superior Court to halt the enforcement of the law while the case is under review.
The FMEQ is specifically objecting to the clauses within the bill that restrict coordinated efforts to disrupt or impede the teaching of courses, as well as the harsh penalties associated with such actions. While these measures primarily target healthcare professionals, the Federation believes that the language of the law could also be used against student groups engaging in collective actions.
Despite having received strike mandates, the student associations have hesitated to proceed with any form of protest due to concerns about the severe repercussions outlined in the legislation.
The core argument put forth by the Federation is that the law violates fundamental rights such as freedom of association and expression. Additionally, the FMEQ views the prescribed fines in the bill—ranging from $200 to $1,000 per day for individuals and $100,000 to $500,000 per day for groups—as disproportionate and unjust punishments.
