Unsurprisingly, family doctors are officially challenging Bill 2, which has been the subject of much debate since it was passed using closure on Oct. 25. Fédération des médecins omnipracticiens du Québec (FMOQ) announced that it will file a motion for a stay and an appeal for judicial review with the courts on Friday.
FMOQ President Marc-André Amyot made the announcement in a video posted on Facebook on Thursday afternoon. “Since this is an emergency measure, hearings must take place in the coming days, and the ruling should be handed down before Christmas,” he said.
Amyot reiterated that “channels of communication are open” with Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau. However, he specified that no negotiations are currently taking place “since each party is sticking to its position.”
“The government does not want to withdraw or suspend Bill 2, and for our part, we do not wish or want to negotiate with a sword of Damocles hanging over our heads, Bill 2.”
It should be noted that the adoption of the bill also suspended negotiations on the renewal of the doctors’ framework agreement until 2028. The overall compensation package has been frozen.
The FMOQ had already indicated that it was considering following in the footsteps of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ) in challenging the law in court. The Fédération médicale étudiante du Québec (FMEQ) also decided to take legal action, arguing that the law infringes on their freedom of expression and association.
The medical students’ request was rejected by the Superior Court. As for the medical specialists, they attempted to win their case by asking the court to uphold the interpretation of certain sections made by the attorney general of Quebec. Judge Pierre Nollet refused to grant their request.
The FMSQ insists that it remains “determined to challenge the substance of Bill 2, including its provisions that infringe on the rights and freedoms of its members.”
Just last Wednesday, the Quebec Association of Pharmacist Owners (AQPP) announced that it would challenge provisions of Bill 2. It is particularly opposed to section 208 of the law, which allows the Minister of Health to modify an existing agreement if he or she believes that access to care can be improved.
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–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
