Quebec and Medical Associations Reach Principle Agreement to Suspend Law 2 Impacting Family Doctors
Quebec has reached a tentative agreement with the Quebec Federation of General Practitioners (FMOQ) to suspend the implementation of Law 2, which was scheduled to come into effect on January 1, 2026. The government will introduce a bill to delay the law's enforcement until February 28, 2026, allowing time for amendments based on the new agreement. The FMOQ must present the details of the agreement to its members for approval, with webinars scheduled to inform them before a vote. The law had been highly controversial, especially due to its performance targets linked to 10% of medical compensation and changes in payment structures. The agreement aims to address these issues and improve family doctors' working conditions and patient care. The government, led by Minister Christian Dubé, confirmed the bill to postpone the law and indicated that negotiations with specialist physicians (FMSQ) are ongoing, though no agreement has yet been reached with them. The FMSQ has submitted proposals to restart negotiations, which have been stalled since the law's adoption. The agreement with the FMOQ is seen as a significant step toward easing tensions, with Prime Minister François Legault personally involved to facilitate progress. The agreement's details are not yet public, but it reflects a shared goal to reform physician remuneration and enhance primary care accessibility. The law's suspension and the upcoming legislative changes are intended to allow further negotiations and adjustments, with the legislative process currently underway in Quebec's National Assembly. The medical community's response has been cautiously optimistic, awaiting member approval and further negotiations with specialists.
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