Negotiations with two physician federations temporarily paused

Dr. Vincent Oliva, president of the Quebec Federation of Medical Specialists (FMSQ), at a press conference in Quebec City on May 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Negotiations between the government and specialist physicians are temporarily suspended. The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ) said government negotiators have returned to review their mandate.

Meanwhile, the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ) confirmed only that talks are on hold, with more details expected Wednesday.

Recently, both physician federations reached an agreement on a mediation process aimed at breaking the deadlock in renewing their respective framework agreements.

Negotiations had reportedly been progressing well. The FMSQ said it hopes to resume once the mandate is clarified.

“In the presence of the mediator, despite the progress acknowledged by all parties, our counterparts confirmed that their current mandate remains to work within the framework of Bill 106, not to exclude the FMSQ by concluding an agreement. It was therefore agreed to temporarily suspend mediation to allow government representatives to validate the scope of their mandate. We are awaiting a response,” the FMSQ said in a communication to its members.

Bill 106, which aims to tie part of physician compensation to performance indicators, appears to be the sticking point in negotiations. Last week, Health Minister Christian Dubé announced he was putting Bill 106 on hold to give the mediation process a chance.

When approached by reporters Tuesday, Dubé briefly said he would not comment while mediation is ongoing. He added that even though negotiations are paused, “the mediation is still in place.”

Specialist and family physicians have been using pressure tactics for several weeks, including boycotting administrative medical activities. The FMSQ has also stopped teaching students, which could delay the graduation of future physicians.

Family doctors had planned to do the same on Oct. 1. After an initial postponement, the federation decided to wait and see how mediation proceeds before implementing additional pressure measures. FMOQ members voted 91 per cent in favour of boycotting teaching in a vote held Sept. 23.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Oct. 7, 2025.