Quebec bill would fine new doctors up to $200K per day for leaving public system
The Legault government in Quebec has introduced a groundbreaking bill that will require all Quebec-trained doctors, both general practitioners and specialists, to work in the public health-care system for the first five years of their careers. Health Minister Christian Dubé presented the bill, known as Bill 83, at the National Assembly, with fines ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 per day for violators.
The aim of this legislation is to ensure that the population has access to the healthcare services they deserve. Currently, an increasing number of doctors are leaving the public sector for private practice, with 775 out of 22,479 doctors in Quebec working exclusively in private practice. Premier François Legault has long been considering measures to prevent new doctors from immediately transitioning to the private sector.
The Quebec College of Physicians supports this initiative, suggesting a potential 10-year prohibition on new medical graduates practicing privately. The College argues that new doctors should not be allowed to practice privately at the beginning of their careers to prevent the trend of doctors leaving for the private sector.
The cost of training a doctor in Quebec, including residency, is significant, ranging from $435,000 to $790,000, funded by Quebec taxpayers. Health Minister Dubé believes that the public has the right to expect new graduates to contribute back to the public system after receiving their education.
The government’s goal is for all Quebecers to have access to a health professional by the summer of 2026. This bill comes amidst ongoing contract negotiations between the government and major doctors’ unions and the recent establishment of the Santé Québec agency.
The introduction of this bill is a significant step towards ensuring the commitment of doctors to the population and the public health-care system. It is a proactive measure to address the growing concern of doctors leaving the public sector and to ensure that all Quebecers have access to quality healthcare services.
