Quebec, doctors’ federation reach agreement in principle

Quebec’s Federation of General Practitioners (FMOQ) and the Quebec government have reached an agreement in principle, the federation confirmed on social media on Thursday morning.

It notes that this comes after recent meetings between the federation’s president and Quebec Premier François Legault, as well as the blitz of negotiations over the past few days.

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FMOQ says it welcomes the agreement in principle, “which is an important step forward in the current context.”

“We also applaud Premier Legault’s decision to personally commit to this issue to take swift action, curb the disengagement and departure of Quebec family physicians, and increase Quebecers’ access to family medicine,” it stated.

In a notice sent to members on Thursday, FMOQ reiterated that its position on Bill 2, the province’s controversial doctor bill, has not changed.

“Our objective has always been clear: to prevent this bill, which was passed on Oct. 25, from being implemented in its current form on Jan. 1,” it said.

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The federation insists that it is “satisfied” with the agreement and that it “adequately meets the objectives you entrusted to us.”

“This agreement in principle is an important step forward in a context that remains challenging for many of you,” it said. “We know that until recently, many family physicians were juggling different scenarios for the future of their careers, and we are fully aware of the climate of uncertainty you have had to endure, and that the uncertainty is not over.”

Though they wouldn’t comment on the details of the agreement, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé and Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau told reporters on Thursday that they plan to table a bill to delay Bill 2’s implementation until Feb. 28.

“I always said Law 2 could be perfected and we wanted to take the time to make the necessary adjustments,” Dubé told reporters in Quebec City.

He said Quebecers would be the winners in the deal, if it is approved.

Legault also called it a “win-win” situation for everyone involved.

“Win for the doctors, win for the government, but most of all, win for the patients,” he said.

The federation has described the law’s impact as catastrophic, and said it has prompted some doctors to leave Quebec, take early retirements or turn to the private sector.

Legault suggested earlier this week that doctors could be offered financial incentives in exchange for taking on more patient care.

Treasury Board President France-Elaine Duranceau would not confirm Thursday whether those incentives had been included in the deal, nor whether doctor pay was linked to performance indicators.

“The goal of the whole process was to change the way doctors are compensated, to increase the uptake of Quebecers in the care of family doctors, so that’s what the agreement reflects,” she said.

The vote

Two one-hour information webinars for union members are set to be held on Friday to go over the key elements of the agreement, the impact on family medicine, next steps and the “consequences of this agreement on the future of Bill 2.”

Following the meetings, the agreement in principle will immediately be put to a vote, “to obtain a result as soon as possible.”

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“We are aware that the morale of family physicians, like that of many of their patients, has been severely tested,” FMOQ said. “The commitment and motivation of family physicians remain essential to the future of front-line care and the health of the Quebec population.”

The federation concludes that it believes “this agreement in principle is a concrete step in that direction.”

Negotiations are still underway with Quebec’s Federation of Medical Specialists (FMSQ).

President Vincent Oliva said the group had submitted new proposals on Wednesday following advances made in mediation.

If those are favourably received, they could lead to the rapid resumption of talks, and hopefully an agreement, Oliva said.

- With files from The Canadian Press