Family Doctors in Quebec Overwhelmingly Approve New Agreement with Government
Family doctors in Quebec have overwhelmingly voted 97% in favor of a new agreement with the government, marking a significant development in healthcare policies. The agreement, reached on December 11, addresses key concerns raised by doctors regarding Bill 2.
One of the major highlights of the agreement is the removal of contentious elements from Bill 2, including performance-related penalties and color-coded stickers, which had been strongly opposed by doctors across the province.
In a shift from its previous stance, the government has decided to abandon its goal of mandating the entire population to be associated with a healthcare setting by 2027. Instead, the focus will be on a voluntary enrollment plan, aiming to include 500,000 new patients by June 2026, with a particular emphasis on 180,000 vulnerable individuals.
The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) recently passed a bill to delay the implementation of Bill 2 until February 28, 2026, allowing for necessary adjustments to align the law with the newly agreed-upon terms by doctors.
The Quebec Federation of General Practitioners (FMOQ) expressed satisfaction with the agreement, emphasizing that it will not only streamline the care for half a million additional patients, especially those in vulnerable situations, but also lead to a transformation in primary care practices.
Under the new agreement, changes to family physicians’ remuneration, increased funding for telemedicine, and the stabilization of clinics dependent on the GMF program are expected. This move is seen as a positive step that will enable family doctors to continue delivering quality healthcare services and focus on their core mission of serving the population of Quebec.
