Over 10,000 Protest Quebec’s Controversial Physician Pay Law
Over 10,000 people gathered at Montreal’s Bell Centre on Sunday in a massive protest against Quebec’s new law changing how doctors are paid. This demonstration, organized by four major medical federations, came in response to Bill 2, a piece of legislation pushed through the National Assembly by Premier François Legault late last month. Doctors, medical students, and their families from across the province arrived in force, with buses coming in from as far as Rimouski and Trois-Rivières. The arena was packed, with the Federation of General Practitioners of Quebec reporting over 12,500 attendees.
The protesters voiced their strong opposition to the law, which ties part of physicians’ pay to performance targets and imposes steep fines on those who refuse to comply. Dr. Marc-André Amyot, president of the Federation of General Practitioners of Quebec, emphasized that Bill 2 must be put on hold, warning that its current measures could lead to serious consequences. Already, around 550 doctors have reportedly announced plans to leave Quebec because of the law. Many participants said the legislation risks harming patient care, with emergency and family physicians speaking out about the strain it places on their clinics and staff.
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The protest featured a mix of passionate speeches, live music from a band of doctors called The Doc Show, and videos highlighting concerns about the bill. Slogans and signs, like “I love my doctor,” filled the arena as a doctor mascot roamed the crowd. Attendees described the legislation as “deplorable,” “cruel,” and even “fast-food care,” criticizing the law’s incentive for quantity over quality. Health Minister Christian Dubé had previously announced a temporary suspension of two provisions of the bill, but the overall unrest continued, with calls for a full reconsideration.
The controversy has also shaken Quebec’s ruling Coalition Avenir Québec party. Some legislators have expressed doubts, with one resigning from the caucus over disagreements on the bill. Premier Legault has argued that the law will benefit the 1.5 million Quebecers without a family doctor and has signaled a willingness to restart talks with physicians about the bill’s terms. Meanwhile, prominent figures, including former premier Lucien Bouchard, attended the rally to show support for the medical community’s stance.
At the heart of the protest was a clear message: doctors feel that Bill 2 undermines their ability to provide quality care and threatens the stability of Quebec’s healthcare system. The demonstration on Sunday, following another rally in Quebec City the previous weekend, underscored the province-wide opposition and the urgent need for dialogue between the government and medical professionals. The situation remains tense, as physicians, patients, and lawmakers navigate the high-stakes debate over the future of healthcare in Quebec.
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