Quebec’s specialist doctors escalate pressure in stalled negotiations

The president of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ), Dr. Vincent Oliva, holds a press conference at the Château Laurier Hotel in Quebec City on Oct. 28, 2025. (The Canadian Press/Karoline Boucher)

The union representing specialist doctors, the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ), is launching new pressure tactics to “unblock” negotiations with the government.

Delegates from the 36 associations affiliated with the FMSQ, along with members of the federation’s board of directors, adopted an “action plan” Thursday night during a special meeting.

In addition to halting training related to the Digital Health Record, specialist doctors will stop taking part in medico-administrative activities as of today.

They will also stop offering appointments through the Centres de répartition des demandes de service (CRDS) in the near future.

CRDS are the access points to specialists that process referrals from family doctors and specialized nurse practitioners in primary care.

Consultations will instead be offered “through alternative mechanisms” to the CRDS, FMSQ president Dr. Vincent Oliva said in a note sent to members Friday.

“Our patience has run out,” he wrote. “To improve access to specialized care, physicians must be given the proper means to do their work. Specialized medicine must be valued.

“Our requests to the government are reasonable and go beyond the matter of remuneration alone.

“They target essential elements, such as the organization of the health-care network, support for the regions and funding for specialized offices and clinics,” he added.

On Wednesday, Premier François Legault said the pay increase sought by the FMSQ was “really not reasonable.”

Treasury Board President France-Élaine Duranceau also said remuneration is “the biggest issue” in negotiations with specialists.

Quebec is offering specialist doctors an 11 per cent pay increase, while the federation is seeking 14.5 per cent, which would include bonuses for meeting targets.

The government recently granted a 14.5 per cent increase to family doctors, along with a 2.5 per cent bonus if they meet patient-care objectives.

However, Duranceau noted the government intends to maintain a “gap” between the two professions to make family medicine more attractive.

“It’s not reasonable, what specialist doctors are asking for in terms of a salary increase, really not reasonable,” Legault said.

On Friday, the government declined to comment on the new pressure tactics.

“It is the FMSQ’s choice to make use of them,” the offices of Duranceau and Health Minister Sonia Bélanger said in a written statement.

“Our goal remains improving Quebecers’ access to health care, and discussions must take place at the table,” they added.

The framework agreement with specialist doctors expired on March 31, 2023.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 20, 2026.