The Quebec General Practitioners Federation (FMOQ) has decided to halt mediation with the Quebec government, as revealed in a statement released on Wednesday.
Efforts to negotiate a renewal of the expired framework agreement between the FMOQ and the government have been ongoing for the past two years.
In their statement, the FMOQ highlighted that they had put forward well-thought-out proposals aimed at enhancing access to primary care services during the discussions.
Discontinuing mediation with the government, the FMOQ expressed frustration over the lack of flexibility and openness on the government’s part, insisting on pushing forward with Bill 106 without considering alternative options.
Both the FMOQ and the Quebec Federation of Medical Specialists (FMSQ) have been vocal opponents of Bill 106 since the beginning of negotiations, advocating for its withdrawal. This legislation seeks to tie the compensation of general practitioners and specialist physicians to specific performance metrics.
In response to the breakdown in mediation, the FMOQ has intensified its pressure tactics by announcing a boycott of teaching medical students beginning Thursday.
The FMOQ is now calling for independent arbitration to resolve the dispute, similar to the process in Ontario, in hopes of overcoming the current deadlock and fostering a renewed sense of trust.
