Over 260 Quebec Doctors Seek Ontario Licences After Bill 2

More than 260 doctors from Quebec have applied for licences to practice in Ontario following the passage of a controversial healthcare reform bill, known as Bill 2. Enacted on October 25, 2023, this legislation ties physician compensation to performance metrics while imposing strict penalties on doctors who engage in collective actions against the government’s policies. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) reported a staggering increase in applications, with 263 submissions received between October 23 and early November, a significant rise compared to the mere 19 applications filed from June 1 to October 22 of the same year.

Among the 263 applicants, the CPSO noted that 35 have already been approved for certification. The majority of these doctors are family physicians, but the applicants also include specialists in various fields such as pediatrics, radiology, and anesthesiology. The CPSO clarified that while many doctors are seeking to migrate to Ontario, not all applications will be successful, as some may be withdrawn or cancelled.

The urgency prompting this migration stems from Bill 2, which is set to take effect in the new year. This law links doctors’ salaries to the number of patients they see, raising concerns about the feasibility of meeting these targets given existing healthcare resource shortages. Doctors have expressed frustration over the government’s control of essential resources, such as emergency department staff and equipment, which directly impact their ability to fulfill the new performance requirements.

Dr. Trevor Hennessey, chief of anesthesiology at the Integrated Health and Social Services Centre in the Outaouais Region, recently resigned amid these pressing issues. Although he is already certified to practice in Ontario, he remains undecided about relocating. “After years of raising awareness about staff and resource shortages, Bill 2 was the last straw,” he stated.

The Ontario Premier, Doug Ford, has openly welcomed Quebec doctors contemplating a shift. He encouraged them to reach out to a hotline, asserting that they could be integrated into the province’s healthcare system quickly. As of last summer, approximately 2.5 million residents in Ontario were without a family doctor, highlighting the province’s urgent need for healthcare professionals.

In a broader context, the Ontario Medical Association has expressed solidarity with Quebec doctors. The organization advocates for improved physician mobility but emphasizes that such measures should not compromise patient access or the stability of Ontario’s healthcare system. In a statement, the association noted, “We stand with our colleagues in Quebec and encourage the government to collaborate with physicians to ensure optimal patient care.”

The reaction to Bill 2 has sparked protests within Quebec, with approximately 13,000 medical professionals rallying in Montreal against the new law. This significant turnout reflects widespread dissent among healthcare providers regarding the imposed salary structure. Following the bill’s introduction, various federations representing Quebec’s general practitioners, specialists, and medical students have initiated legal challenges against the legislation.

Quebec’s Premier, François Legault, has reiterated the government’s commitment to the new compensation model, arguing that it aims to enhance patient access to family doctors. His office has reached out to medical federations to discuss the implications of the bill but remains firm on its objectives. In a statement, Legault’s office asserted, “We’re doing this for Quebecers.”

The province’s Health Minister, Christian Dubé, declined to comment specifically on individual doctors’ decisions to apply for Ontario licences. However, his office acknowledged the concerns raised by physicians regarding their practices and compensation structures, stating, “Quebec needs all of its doctors.”

As the situation unfolds, the implications of Bill 2 on Quebec’s healthcare landscape remain significant. The ongoing exodus of physicians to other provinces may exacerbate the already strained healthcare system, raising questions about the future of medical care in Quebec and the viability of the new compensation model.