Over 250 doctors from Quebec have submitted applications to practice in Ontario, as reported by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. This surge in applications follows the passing of a contentious bill in Quebec on October 25 that reforms doctors’ pay.
Within a span of just over two weeks, the CPSO received more than 13 times the number of applications compared to the total of 19 received from June 1 to October 22 this year. The data provided in a statement to CBC Toronto revealed that as of Monday morning, 263 Quebec doctors had sought licensure in Ontario since October 23, with 35 of them already approved for certificates.
The CPSO stated that a majority of these applicants are family physicians, with the rest practicing in various specialties such as general practice, pediatrics, radiology, and anesthesiology. Quebec’s Bill 2, scheduled to be enforced in the new year, links doctors’ pay to performance targets related to the number of patients they treat and imposes fines of up to $500,000 per day on doctors engaging in “concerted action” against government policies.
Notably, the CPSO mentioned that the doctors did not provide reasons for their applications and clarified that not all applications will be granted certificates, as some may be withdrawn or canceled. Dr. Trevor Hennessey, chief of anesthesiology at the Integrated Health and Social Services Centre in the Outaouais Region, recently resigned and is contemplating a move to Ontario, where he is already certified to practice. He cited Bill 2 as the final straw after years of addressing staff and resource shortages affecting healthcare.
Hennessey highlighted that the law’s “gag order effects” are prompting doctors to consider Ontario despite similar challenges with staffing and resources. He criticized the legislation for shifting blame onto physicians for system failures and restricting discussions among colleagues. The Ontario Medical Association expressed solidarity with Quebec doctors and emphasized the importance of collaboration between governments and physicians to enhance patient care without destabilizing any province’s healthcare system.
Following the introduction of Bill 2, Quebec’s general practitioners, specialists, and medical student federations initiated legal challenges. Despite the backlash, Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé acknowledged doctors’ concerns about practice changes and compensation, emphasizing the necessity of all doctors in Quebec.
The changes introduced aim to enhance patient access to family doctors, as stated by Premier François Legault’s office, which reaffirmed their commitment to the reforms despite the ongoing challenges.
