Mediation Breakdown Between Family Doctors and Quebec Authorities

The mediation efforts between family doctors in Quebec and provincial authorities have collapsed. The Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ) announced this breakdown recently. Starting Thursday, its members will boycott teaching medical students.

Mediation Breakdown Between Family Doctors and Quebec Authorities

On Wednesday, the FMOQ met with government representatives to attempt to restart mediation, which had been paused for a week. The FMOQ reported that it enhanced its proposals, offering solutions that could potentially increase appointment availability beyond government plans. However, the government maintained its stance, refusing to commit to promised resources for family doctors in group practices, known as GMF (groupe de médecine familiale).

The Stalemate and its Consequences

The FMOQ criticized the government for its rigid approach, stating that they are insisting on the passage of Bill 106 as the only option. In response to the government’s inflexibility, FMOQ members will stop teaching medical students starting Thursday. This action follows a similar decision by specialist doctors, who ceased teaching on September 15.

Alarmingly, the four medical faculties in Quebec have raised concerns. They warned that if the specialists’ boycott continues past October 20, half of the 1,000 final-year students will be unable to start their residency as scheduled on July 1.

Government Response

In a statement via X, France-Élaine Duranceau, the President of the Treasury Board, expressed disappointment over FMOQ’s decision. She noted that the government had made commitments to support GMFs and remains open to negotiations. Duranceau emphasized the goal of ensuring that all Quebec residents are connected with a family doctor or a referral center.

Objectives of Bill 106

The government’s Bill 106 aims to enhance healthcare access for Quebecers. It includes plans to link part of physicians’ pay to performance indicators, a measure opposed by medical federations seeking to repeal the bill.

Call for Arbitration

The FMOQ has called for arbitration to resolve the deadlock. A letter was sent to Labor Minister Jean Boulet last week, asking for arbitration similar to approaches taken in comparable situations. Stéphane Gosselin, spokesperson for the FMOQ, underscored the need for arbitration, advocating for its timely application by the government.