FMSQ negotiations: Specialists not being ‘reasonable,’ says Legault
Posted February 18, 2026 11:25 am.
Last Updated February 18, 2026 5:59 pm.
The pay raise demanded by Quebec specialist doctors is “really not reasonable,” outgoing Premier François Legault said on Wednesday.
The President of the Treasury Board, France-Élaine Duranceau, also stated that the issue of remuneration “is the main topic” in the negotiation with the specialists.
“They are putting pressure on the government, but we have budgetary constraints,” she stated in a press scrum at the National Assembly.
“We continue to talk. The idea is not to be at war, but we need to find a way to come together,” she added.
According to information from La Presse Canadienne, Quebec is offering specialist doctors an 11 per cent increase in their remuneration, while their federation is demanding a 14.5 per cent increase.
As a reminder, the government recently granted a 14.5 per cent increase to family doctors, in addition to a 2.5 per cent bonus if they meet care targets.
However, he intends to maintain a “gap” between the two professions to make family medicine more attractive, Duranceau pointed out.
“What specialist doctors are asking for as a salary increase is not reasonable, really not reasonable,” Legault denounced as he went to question period on Wednesday.
In the morning, the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ) stated that, faced with the “blockage”, its members had no other choice but to mobilize.
“After months of discussions, the government’s attitude still prevents the conclusion of an agreement in principle, which is nevertheless essential for improving patients’ access to care,” the federation wrote in a statement.
Members of the FMSQ are to meet in a special assembly on Thursday to adopt an “action plan” and implement pressure tactics “that will not affect direct patient care.”
They could, for example, decide to suspend their participation in the Digital Health Record project.
“I remind you that this issue is extremely strategic. I understand that they are using it as a means of exerting pressure, but now we must stay the course,” reacted Health Minister Sonia Bélanger on Wednesday.
The framework agreement with specialist physicians expired on March 31, 2023.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
