Doctors’ remuneration: A future PQ government could clash with doctors

A potential Parti Québécois (PQ) government could engage in another standoff with doctors.

At least, that is what is suggested by the draft program that will be presented at the end of the week at the PQ convention in Saint-Hyacinthe.

After last fall’s confrontation, when the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government had to back down from the medical federations on its remuneration reform, PQ members are calling for a second round.

In the PQ document, which contains more than 300 proposals, activists suggest reviewing the method of physician compensation, without specifying how.

Incorporation of physicians

The working document also recommends prohibiting the incorporation of physicians. This could cause waves in the medical profession, which obtained the right to incorporate in 2007.

Incorporation allows physicians to save on taxes.

In 2022, tax losses attributable to the incorporation of physicians amounted to at least $252.5 million for both levels of government, according to a study by L’Institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques (IRIS).

Activists will vote on these proposals. If adopted, they could become part of the PQ’s platform in next fall’s election.

Magali Picard

The PQ convention is also expected to welcome Magali Picard, president of the Quebec Federation of Labor (FTQ), who confirmed her attendance in early January.

The unions are particularly upset with the CAQ government and its bill that imposes new requirements on labor organizations and seeks to make part of union dues optional.

In a recent interview with The Canadian Press, Picard said she would accept all invitations she receives during this election year. However, the FTQ no longer takes a position in favor of any party, as it did in the past.

The CAQ has previously accused PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon of being in the pay of the FTQ.

One proposal in the PQ’s draft platform recommends “clearly affirming a favorable bias toward workers,” while another seeks to “facilitate the unionization of all workers.”

The PQ also proposes offering 10 days of paid leave to victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Independence

In addition, a large number of resolutions on other topics will also be debated.

In line with its goal of holding a referendum on independence during its first term if it forms the government, the PQ proposes to use the state’s financial resources to prepare for independence, but also to appoint a minister of state “responsible for coordinating all ministerial activities related to the preparation for independence.”

A PQ government could also stop doing business with any company registered in tax havens and stop awarding them any form of public contract or subsidy.

Three-tier education system

In terms of education, a St-Pierre Plamondon government is considering setting up a National Education Commission and could commit to ending what is known as the three-tier education system by prohibiting state-funded schools from “selecting their students.”

It could also force subsidized private schools to admit “a certain proportion” of students with difficulties and “gradually” reduce subsidies to these schools, while offering them the option of becoming fully state-funded schools.

The PQ would also propose to guarantee meals in public elementary schools for all children in Quebec.

Finally, activists are raising the idea of a framework law protecting freedom of expression, with a view, among other things, to requiring CEGEPs, universities, public media, and the civil service to adopt a policy on freedom of expression.

It would also aim to guarantee “the free circulation of literary and artistic works.”

Immigration

On immigration, the PQ remains focused on reducing thresholds.

In particular, it would call for the abolition of the federal temporary worker program.

Activists are also calling for a moratorium on permanent economic immigration and a reduction of at least half in temporary immigration, from 600,000 in the second quarter of 2024 to a target of between 250,000 and 300,000 non-permanent residents at the end of a four-year term.

They also suggest setting the number of temporary foreign workers from Quebec’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program at around 40,000.

As for international students, the cap is set at 50,000.

Finally, the PQ would maintain the permanent immigration threshold it had set at 35,000 per year.

Environment

Among the proposals related to climate change is the introduction of a carbon budget, a recommendation that was promoted by former PQ MP and minister Sylvain Gaudreault.

This document would be tabled annually by the government, requiring a comprehensive assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring that action plans to reduce them are monitored.

PQ members also propose adding environmental criteria to the rules for awarding contracts.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews