FMSQ has lost confidence in Dubé, asks François Legault to intervene

After yet another impasse in negotiations between doctors and the government, the Federation of Medical Specialists of Quebec (FMSQ) decided to write to the premier of Quebec this weekend to ask him to intervene.

On behalf of Quebec’s 11,000 specialists, Dr. Vincent Oliva, president of the FMSQ, emphasizes in his letter that doctors’ anger is currently brewing. He also indicates that they have lost confidence in Health Minister Christian Dubé. 

“Three blitz negotiations have taken place since last summer. Recently, a mediator was added to the discussions. Each of these attempts has foundered on your minister’s stubbornness and his desire to punish doctors for the problems in the health system. This attitude prevents potential agreements with your spokespersons at the negotiating table, whose good faith, in their case, is evident. As for Minister Dubé, he has lost our trust,” reads the letter sent to François Legault on Oct. 18, a copy of which was obtained by The Canadian Press. 

The next day, Legault responded to Dr. Oliva. He argued that the new compensation model based on performance targets, which is part of Bill 106, is an essential transformation to ensure access throughout the territory. 

Dubé has often reiterated his determination to move forward with Bill 106. For their part, the two medical federations want Bill 106 withdrawn. The FMSQ argues that it is prepared to work harder to improve access to health care, provided it has the resources to do so. 

“You don’t reform a system by punishing those at the heart of providing care. You don’t motivate partners by constantly attacking them, by luring them to the negotiating table. Your Minister of Health is on the wrong track and leading us all into a dead end,” said Dr. Oliva. He urges Legault to “instruct” his teams “to bring these negotiations to a successful conclusion and support the mediator’s efforts.” 

In his letter, François Legault reiterated his desire to renew the framework agreement between each of the medical federations, with Bill 106 on the table. “Since the mediation process ended today, our representatives are available to continue discussions at the negotiating table within the parameters already set out,” he said.  

He asks the FMSQ to resume negotiations immediately to reach an agreement quickly. 

–The Canadian Press’s health coverage is supported by a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for this journalistic content.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews