Legault says specialist doctors are not being ‘reasonable’

Quebec Premier Francois Legault, speaks during the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) caucus meeting in Trois Rivieres, Que., on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

The Quebec government and specialist doctors still seem far from reaching an agreement.

Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau announced Wednesday that the parties were unable to reach an agreement on the issue of salaries.

Specialist doctors are demanding a 17 per cent increase in their compensation package.

“What specialist doctors are asking for in terms of a salary increase is unreasonable, really unreasonable,” said Premier François Legault.

Earlier in the day, the Quebec Federation of Medical Specialists (FMSQ) had indicated that, faced with the “deadlock,” its members had no choice but to take action.

The doctors will take pressure tactics, “but these will not affect direct patient care,” the FMSQ warned in a statement.

The framework agreement with medical specialists expired on March 31, 2023.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 18, 2026.