Collège des médecins du Québec President Severely Reprimanded After Chaotic Meeting

The President of the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ), Dr. Mauril Gaudreault, faced severe reprimands from his colleagues during a chaotic online meeting on Friday afternoon. This extraordinary general assembly (AGE) marked the first of its kind since 1911, with an attendance of 3,000 doctors.

Chaotic Meeting Sparks Outrage

The meeting stemmed from unprecedented loss of confidence in the leadership of the CMQ. An overwhelming 82% of the participating physicians voted in favor of a motion to censure Dr. Gaudreault. He has been accused of misleading the public and undermining the core mission of the CMQ.

Calls for Accountability

• Physicians demanded public apologies from Gaudreault.
• Some even called for his resignation, expressing deep dissatisfaction over his leadership.
• Comments from attendees included harsh criticisms and a demand for accountability over pressing public health issues.

During the meeting, a visibly emotional Dr. Gaudreault stated, “I have heard the criticisms and concerns. I do not wish to evade them.” The turmoil began after a controversial newsletter published on September 19, where Gaudreault suggested a pause in medical education, sparking outrage among fellow doctors.

Resolutions and Future Steps

Doctors during the AGE also voted for the creation of a procedure to potentially dismiss members of the board or the president. Additionally, they supported a resolution calling for Gaudreault to issue a public apology and for the CMQ to maintain political neutrality.

Voting Challenges in the Assembly

Due to the large number of attendees, many physicians were unable to speak directly. Instead, they utilized a chat forum, which led to widespread frustration. Participants voiced their dissatisfaction, labeling it a “farce of democracy.” Some struggled with technical issues during voting and connectivity.

Furthermore, Dr. Gaudreault faced criticism for taking stances on public debates, such as the third link project in Quebec and the role of private health services. Various labor representatives were actively involved in the AGE, signaling an organized effort to address the situation.

Importance of Professional Orders

Other professional orders are monitoring the situation closely, concerned about the precedent it sets. According to Jean Boulet, a representative from the Office des professions, the integrity of professional orders is crucial to public safety and ensuring competent practice among their members.

These resolutions will be reviewed by the board during an upcoming meeting. The CMQ, funded by its members, has the primary mandate of protecting the public interest. Dr. Gaudreault has led the CMQ since 2018, with his term ending next year.

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