Quebec extends ‘olive branch’ to doctors, promises not to enforce parts of Bill 2

The CAQ says it will not apply some parts of the controversial doctors bill in an effort to get groups back at the bargaining table.

Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé says some provisions of his controversial Bill 2 reforming doctor remuneration won’t be applied, but won’t be removed from the law either.

He and Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau told journalists they would not be amending the law — as some medical associations have requested — but are “committed” to not enforcing the surveillance of doctors.

Bill 2’s articles 141-163 stipulate that an inspector could flag “breaches” in a physician’s performance or attendance, leading to possible sanctions, including fines equal to 40 per cent of their average weekly pay.

Duranceau said that a decree would have been necessary to enforce the law.

She and Dubé promised never to use it and say they are extending an “olive branch” to physicians’ associations, whom they want back at the bargaining table.

Dubé said it was only included in the law “in case it would be necessary.”

• READ MORE: What’s in Quebec’s controversial doctors’ bill?

“This is our third gesture of good faith,” said Duranceau. “We can`t negotiate on our own ... we must find a way forward.”

She added that it was “not our intention” to scare doctors and provoke outrage.

“It just shows that we’re listening to what doctors are saying and we put that as proof to say, ‘Please, come back to the table,’” added Dubé.

In a news release, the Federation of Medical Specialists of Quebec (FMSQ) reiterated that it wants the government to suspend Bill 2 before resuming negotiations.

“I am surprised that the government is still not taking into account the historic mobilization of physicians and many citizens against the adverse effects of this law, as well as the opinions of numerous experts, patients and interest groups, including the Collège des médecins, who are also calling for the suspension of the law,” said FMSQ president Vincent Oliva.

Since Bill 2 was adopted, doctors have been protesting the government, and hundreds have applied to practice outside the province.

Others have said the provisions in the law could force them to close down their practices.

Medical specialists are also planning a legal challenge of the law.

The Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ), which represents general practitioners, says it’s open to a meeting but not with the Health Minister. It adds it also wouldn’t be to negotiate.

Union president Marc-André Amyot says Dubé “has lost credibility” and is trying to “justify his law,” to the detriment of patients.

Opposition parties at the National Assembly have been putting the Coalition Avenir Québec on blast and say the minister’s move is a farce.

“He’s bluffing, clearly he’s bluffing. Why would you put such an article in a special law if at the end of day you don’t apply it — that’s not serious," said Québec Solidaire health critic Vincent Marissal.

Liberal MNA Marc Tanguay says the law as a whole should be suspended, “not piecemeal, you know, part by part.”

Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is taking advantage of the situation to get more Quebec doctors to make the switch. As of Thursday morning, 51 certificates were granted.

“We don’t put a gun to anyone’s head, we don’t handcuff any of our doctors to stay in Ontario. If you treat your doctors well and you respect them, they’re going to stay,” said Ford.

Dubé and Duranceau refused to say what they would do next if their latest bid doesn’t get medical federations back to the table.

With files from CTV News Montreal’s Kelly Greig