The president of the Quebec Federation of Medical Specialists (FMSQ), Vincent Oliva, announced to his members that negotiations will resume with the Legault government.
After meeting with Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau, he wrote to his colleagues on Wednesday, in a letter obtained by The Canadian Press, that “it was agreed to formally resume negotiations with a view to reaching an agreement in principle satisfactory to both parties.”
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“This is an important step in the right direction,” Dr. Oliva stressed “following a direct exchange” with Duranceau.
“In recent weeks, we have had constructive discussions that have led us to formally resume negotiations. Beyond the monetary aspect, several elements remain to be negotiated. Our objective remains to improve healthcare for Quebecers. We will not comment further,” stated the office of the President of the Treasury Board, adding that “the Premier was firm with an 11 per cent increase.”
In his letter, the president of the FMSQ assured his members that they would be “kept informed of the progress of the discussions”.
Negotiations have been suspended for several weeks. The two sides last met officially on Jan. 31st.
However, “informal discussions, aimed at identifying possible solutions, have been maintained between our representatives and those of the Treasury Board,” Dr. Oliva stated in his letter.
Specialist doctors are demanding a 14.5 per cent salary increase over five years, but the Coalition Avenir Québec remains firm so far on its offer of 11 per cent.
Due to the impasse in negotiations, specialist physicians took a further step in their pressure tactics on March 16th by ceasing to offer appointments through the Service Request Distribution Centers platform. This appointment center distributes consultation requests from general practitioners and nurse practitioners to specialists.
This new means of exerting pressure was in addition to the cessation of participation in the Digital Health Record and in medical-administrative activities.
The framework agreement with specialist doctors expired on March 31, 2023.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
