The agreement between Quebec and specialist doctors is ratified

Remuneration based on targets to be achieved, particularly for access to specialized appointments and surgical services, is included in the agreement. This is a first for medical specialists, welcomes the Premier of Quebec, Christine Fréchette.

“This is a significant change. This agreement demonstrates that we are acting to improve access to health care for Quebecers, while respecting our ability to pay,” she posted on her X account.

According to our information, Quebec is increasing the remuneration package for specialist doctors – which is around 5 billion – by 8.5% over five years. To this is added 2.5% which will be paid after achieving performance targets. We are therefore talking about an increase of 11%.

Specialist doctors also obtained an additional increase of 1.5% which is “outside the envelope”, but still paid by Quebec for the remuneration of heads of department and service.

The details of the agreement, in particular the targets to be achieved, and the value of the amounts granted will be known in the coming days.

“The agreement also provides for significant commitments from the government to increase operating capacity, resolve the problems of the CRDS and improve it in addition to financing projects in specialized medicine,” underlines the senior advisor for public affairs of the Federation of Specialist Physicians of Quebec (FMSQ), Pâris Psychogyios.

Since the start of the year, the Coalition Avenir Québec government has said it is “firm” on a maximum increase of 11%. The FMSQ asked for an increase of 17% last year, but had revised its requests downwards, to 14.5%.

Quebec has already concluded an agreement with the Federation of General Practitioners of Quebec (FMOQ) in December. The government has granted family doctors a remuneration increase of 14.5% over five years, to which is added 2.5% in exchange for reaching a patient care target. We are therefore talking about 17%.

Heated negotiations

This agreement offers “levers” to the health system to improve access to consultations and surgical services, according to Minister of Health Sonia Bélanger.

“Behind every deadline, there is a patient waiting, which often results in activities on pause, choices that must wait and very real concerns,” she recalls, in a written statement.

“The next step is to work with [les médecins spécialistes] and with the teams on the ground so that these commitments translate into real improvements, ensuring that each patient can be seen by the right professional, at the right time, everywhere in Quebec.”

In recent months, specialist doctors have increased their pressure tactics in the face of stagnant negotiations. In particular, they stopped offering appointments through the Service Request Dispatch Center (CRDS) platform.

They had also ceased their participation in the Digital Health Record and in medical-administrative activities. These measures were lifted on Monday, following the conclusion of an agreement in principle.

The framework agreement with specialist doctors expired on March 31, 2023.

Saga ended

This ratified agreement marks the end of grueling negotiations between Quebec and its doctors. In December, the Minister of Health Christian Dubé slammed the door. He was going to sit as an independent, unhappy with the agreement negotiated with family doctors.

The agreement, negotiated with the personal participation of former Prime Minister François Legault, abandoned several parts of the controversial Law 2. Sonia Bélanger would inherit the position of Christian Dubé.

Christian Dubé could not digest that François Legault excluded him from negotiations with the doctors. The Prime Minister decided to take matters in hand with the President of the Treasury Board, France-Élaine Duranceau. The pressure was strong, since the management of the file was considered catastrophic by many.

Lionel Carmant, faithful ally of Prime Minister Legault, also left his post as Minister for Health and Social Services, in the wake of this law.