The Quebec government introduced a new bill, Bill 19, on Wednesday to revise its previous legislation, Bill 2, which had stirred controversy within the medical community.
Bill 2, enacted on October 25, 2025, had caused uproar among doctors and patients due to its stringent measures, including performance targets and penalties. It had even led to the resignation of three prominent members of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government, including ministers Lionel Carmant and Christian Dubé.
Dubé’s departure from CAQ in December came after Premier François Legault bowed to pressure from family doctors, resulting in significant sections of Bill 2 being scrapped.
Health Minister Sonia Bélanger presented Bill 19 as a reflection of the new understanding reached with general practitioners, following feedback on the previous legislation.
The latest bill signifies a departure from the coercive approach of Bill 2, with all its mandatory provisions now eliminated. Instead, the focus is on incentivizing the voluntary registration of 500,000 new patients, including 180,000 vulnerable individuals, by June 2026, with a $75 million reward. The compensation for family physicians will also see a substantial increase of 14.5%, amounting to $435 million.
“We could have been harsh, but that approach did not work. Therefore, we are now collaborating with general practitioners to bring about positive changes,” stated Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau.
Bill 19 introduces changes to the payment structure for family doctors, including the introduction of capitation, as outlined in Bill 2. However, physicians will have the option to opt-out of certain elements. Specific provisions, such as exclusions for new and retiring doctors, are still subject to negotiation with the medical community.
Health Minister Bélanger confirmed that discussions are ongoing with medical specialists, emphasizing the importance of incorporating their input into the final legislation.
