Bill 2: Rise in applications from Quebec doctors to work in Ontario and New Brunswick

As the CAQ government continues to defend its contentious Bill 2 some 100 Quebec doctors have already started to make plans to leave the province.

“Already, when you have minus 2,000 family doctors and you lose on top of that another 100, it’s a catastrophe,” said Samer Daher, the president of the Association des Médecins Omnipraticiens de Montréal (AMOM).

“We hope that every single quebecer who is concerned, not only doctors, see how dangerous this law is.”

In a statement to CityNews, the College of Physicians in Ontario confirmed “that as of 8 a.m. today, October 29, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) has received 70 applications for licensure since October 23. This is specific to physicians from Quebec seeking either a Restricted or an Independent Practice certificate in Ontario.”

They add that applications for a medical license in Ontario are in progress, but some might be withdrawn or cancalled, so “the number does not necessarily reflect the number of physicians who will ultimately be granted a certificate of registration from CPSO.” However, they are expecting to have additional information later this week.

The College of Physicians in New Brunswick (CPNB) also confirmed that they received 40 applications from Quebec doctors since Oct. 1, 2025.

The CPNB said they normally receive an average of three or four applications per month from physicians in Quebec; however, they say, “the number of licence applications we have received from Quebec physicians this month changes daily (…) approximately 30 of those have been received since Thursday, October 23.”

Adding, “As Canada’s only bilingual province, we offer physicians the opportunity to practice in either of our official languages, and we believe strongly that physicians interested in practicing in New Brunswick will find the lifestyle they are seeking and supportive colleagues.”

These numbers are higher than the one or two requests per month they are used to receiving.

According to Le Devoir, the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec also received notice from 26 family doctors that plan to leave the profession.

“Individual physicians may make personal decisions to relocate for various reasons, and our data does not disclose reasons for seeking licensure to practice in Ontario. It also does not reflect whether a newly licensed physician will practice or intends to practice in Ontario,” said a spokesperson for the CPSO in a statement.

The Quebec federation of medical specialists in Quebec is planning a legal challenge to Bill 2 that imposes a new method of remuneration on physicians and prohibits pressure tactics.

“There are some where if you say, and it sounds like as if you’re inciting other doctors to do it, you can have a lot of trouble legally speaking,” said Sahmer.

The new bill, which they say violates individual freedoms, was forced through the National Assembly last Saturday.

Quebec Liberal leader Pablo Rodriguez held a press briefing Wednesday morning, saying he is deeply concerned about what he perceives as an exodus of doctors.

“One hundred doctors leaving is a disaster,” he said. “They don’t see a solution. They have a government that could have stayed at the table negotiated with the doctors. They decided to say ‘My way or the highway.’”

Quebec Solidaire House Leader Guillaume Cliche-Rivard also said he was “very concerned” and warned that “thousands” of Quebecers could suffer the consequences.

“I sincerely hope that the doctors will remain in the network,” he said at a press briefing.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday morning Premier François Legault would not comment specifically on doctors leaving the province but he said he has “great respect for Quebec doctors”.

“I understand their concerns; we are making big changes, but I want to reassure everyone. There is no question of cutting a single cent from the health care budget. Nor is there any question of cutting premiums for urgent services. The whole purpose of the bill is to take the same money and distribute it in new ways so that we can provide more services to urgent cases,” Legault added.

Meanwhile, at an unrelated press conference, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said, “Call 1-800-Doug Ford all the docs and come by call me on my cell phone it’s on the internet… there’s something about myself and Quebecers we connect they’re passionate they’re fighters I love Quebecers…best quality of life you’ve ever have come by who will roll out the red carpet for you.”

Legault fired back firing back at Ford Wednesday afternoon, saying the Ontario premier crossed a line after inviting Quebec doctors into his province.

“Its totally unacceptable. It was a complete lapse of judgement,” he said. “It’s not the time for the provinces to shoot each other in the back. Now is the time to work together.”

Doctors are planning a large rally at the Bell Centre on November 9.

• With files from The Canadian Press