Following the uproar caused by Bill 2 among doctors in Quebec, the Quebec Federation of Medical Specialists (FMSQ) has taken action by filing a request for a temporary halt. This request will be urgently addressed next week by the Quebec Superior Court.
The FMSQ’s request for a pause in the enforcement of the law is not a complete challenge of the legislation but aims to contest the most restrictive aspects that infringe on fundamental rights and freedoms.
Specifically, the federation aims to challenge a provision within the law that prohibits coordinated actions that could impede access to services or interfere with the training of medical professionals.
During a recent technical briefing in Montreal, lawyer Guillaume Charlebois highlighted a concerning scenario where two doctors relocating to another province could face a hefty fine of $20,000 under the current law.
Since the rushed approval of Bill 2 a week ago, there has been a significant increase in Quebec doctors registering to work in Ontario and New Brunswick. This trend has sparked worries among healthcare professionals, including Dr. Vincent Oliva, the president of FMSQ, who expressed deep concern over the potential doctor shortage.
Dr. Oliva urged the Premier to take responsible action to prevent what he called a “catastrophe” from unfolding further.
The request for the temporary halt pointed out that the prohibitions in Bill 2 could lead to a culture of silence, discouraging open discussions among doctors and hindering their freedom to express dissent through legitimate means.
The judicial document also highlighted how the law could deter civil society organizations, including the FMSQ, from organizing protests or demonstrations where doctors could voice their opposition to Bill 2.
