Quebec, family doctors reach tentative agreement; Bill 2 postponed to end of February
Posted December 11, 2025 8:36 am.
Last Updated December 11, 2025 1:04 pm.
The Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ) – the province’s family doctors – and the Legault government have reached a tentative agreement.
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé says he will suspend the application of Law 2 until Feb. 28 to allow time for adjustments, and will table a bill on Friday to postpone it.
“I’ve always said that Law 2 was perfective and that we wanted to take the time to make the necessary adjustments,” Dubé said.
He added, “If there’s a winner in all this, it’s the people of Quebec. A lot of work has been done, and Quebecers have gained.”
Law 2, which changes the method of remuneration of doctors, was supposed to be effective from Jan. 1.
The FMOQ said on social media that the agreement followed a meeting between its president, Dr. Marc-André Amyot, and Premier François Legault, as well as an intensive round of negotiations.
The union said it “welcomes” the agreement, describing it as “an important step in the current context.”
“We also welcome Premier Legault’s decision to personally commit to this issue in order to take swift action, curb the disengagement and departure of Quebec family physicians, and increase Quebecers’ access to family medicine.”
Legault was all smiles on Thursday morning at the National Assembly, as he spoke to reporters, calling it a “win-win-win situation.”
“If it is accepted by the members, because we all need to be cautious, it would be the most significant change in family physicians’ remuneration since the introduction of Medicare,” said Legault. “It would truly be a win-win-win situation. A win for physicians, a win for the government, and above all, a win for patients.”
“As we had promised, we wanted to review the method of remuneration to improve access and strengthen the front line. That’s what we did. I have always said that Bill 2 could be improved and that we wanted to take the time to make the necessary adjustments,” explained Dubé.
Details of the tentative agreement have not yet been released and will be presented first to family doctors during webinars scheduled for Friday. The agreement will then be put to a vote by FMOQ members, with results expected “as soon as possible.”
“I would like to remind you that the objective of the entire process is to change the way doctors are paid, to increase the way family doctors take care of Quebecers. So that’s what the agreement reflects,” president of the Treasury Board, France-Élaine Duranceau, said Thursday morning – alongside Dubé.
Dubé will table a bill by Friday to postpone the coming into force of Bill 2 until February 28. Law 2, which changes the method of remuneration of doctors, was supposed to be effective from Jan. 1. However, time was starting to run out without an agreement with the medical federations.
The FMOQ says they want to, “Thank Quebecers for their patience and trust over the past few weeks.”
“We are aware that the morale of family physicians—like that of many of their patients—has been severely tested. The commitment and motivation of family physicians remain essential to the future of front-line care and the health of the Quebec population, and the FMOQ believes that this tentative agreement is a concrete step in that direction.”
“Let’s be very clear: a lot of work has been done, Quebecers have won,” Dubé stated.
The Legault government will now have to see to reach an agreement with specialist physicians (FMSQ).
– With files from La Presse Canadienne, translated by CityNews
