At least 1,000 people gathered outside the National Assembly on Saturday to denounce Bill 2, which changes physician remuneration. The special law was introduced on Oct. 24 and passed under closure just hours later. It imposes performance targets on doctors and threatens sanctions if they disengage. Bill 2 also calls for the creation of a system to monitor physicians. Dr. Gabrielle Voisine, an emergency physician who spoke at the protest, called the law “the final nail in the coffin of the health-care system.” “A majority government with historically low public support pushing a complex law under closure with profound societal impacts. I can only call that an authoritarian drift,” she said to applause. Many protesters carried signs referencing the Soviet regime. One read “Vladimir Dubé, François Lénine,” while another showed an image of “Kim Jong Legault.” Several also called to “flush number 2.” Family physician Dr. Kim Lévesque warned the government that the law risks extinguishing physicians’ passion for their work. “With everything happening, the constant denigration of doctors, distrust, political attacks, Bill 106, Bill 2, the ever-increasing pressure—I realize I no longer have the same strength,” said the young mother of two. In an interview, neurologist Renée-Myriam Boucher said she had never seen such discontent in her field. She also praised Laurence Carmant, a specialist and daughter of former minister Lionel Carmant, for clearly explaining the realities on the ground. In an open letter, Laurence Carmant criticized the effects of Bill 2, saying she was considering leaving Québec. Hours after the letter was published, Lionel Carmant, the only physician in the Legault government, resigned as minister responsible for Social Services. On Friday, the Quebec College of Physicians urged the government to suspend the law’s implementation and remove performance targets and sanctions. The government immediately rejected the proposal. “The College of Physicians protects the patient; it is not there for the doctor. And now it comes out and says: ‘This is not good for patients.’ That’s very significant, and for the government to turn a deaf ear… it’s beyond comprehension,” said Dr. Boucher. Another large gathering of physicians is scheduled for Nov. 9 at the Centre Bell. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 1, 2025.
