Quebec government wants to restart talks with doctors over payment reform
Posted November 4, 2025 1:41 pm.
Last Updated November 4, 2025 2:52 pm.
QUÉBEC — The Quebec government is extending an olive branch to the province’s doctors amid a fight over a new law that changes how physicians are paid.
Treasury Board president France-Élaine Duranceau says Premier François Legault wants to restart talks with doctors.
Health Minister Christian Dubé says two elements of the new law that change how physicians are paid will be paused during negotiations.
The government is maintaining the bonus granted to medical specialists for first consultations until further notice. This bonus was to be abolished, and the money redistributed.
It also maintains the 30 per cent supplement that was paid to physicians in family medicine groups (FMGs) to pay their administrative costs.
His two measures had caused “a lot of concern” among doctors, Dubé acknowledged. “We will maintain the current state of these two bonuses,” he announced in a press scrum.
Legault has been under pressure since he forced through the new law, which includes steep fines for doctors who boycott the changes.
Premier François Legault indicated Tuesday that he will not go back on his decision to change the method of remuneration for doctors. However, the government is open to discussing “modalities,” he said.
He has already lost one minister over the payment reform.
The Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ) was quick to react, telling Radio-Canada that it will not resume discussions as long as Bill 2 is not completely suspended.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
