Over 250 Quebec physicians have submitted applications to practice in Ontario, as reported by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. This surge in applications follows the recent passing of a contentious bill in Quebec that reforms doctors’ remuneration structures.
Within a span of just over two weeks, the CPSO received more than 13 times the usual number of applicants, with a total of 263 Quebec doctors seeking licensing in Ontario since October 23. Out of these applicants, 35 have already been granted certificates by the CPSO.
The majority of the applicants are family doctors, with the rest specializing in various fields such as general practice, pediatrics, radiology, and anesthesiology, among others. Quebec’s Bill 2, slated to come into effect in the upcoming year, links doctors’ pay to performance metrics related to patient care numbers and introduces hefty fines for doctors engaging in collective actions against government policies.
The CPSO noted that reasons for the applications were not specified by the doctors, and not all applications will be approved, with some potentially being withdrawn or canceled. Premier Doug Ford of Ontario has extended a welcoming hand to Quebec doctors seeking to relocate, promising swift integration into the Ontario healthcare system.
Dr. Trevor Hennessey, head of anesthesiology at a health center in the Outaouais Region, recently resigned and is contemplating a move to Ontario, given that he is already certified to practice there. He expressed frustration with the new bill, stating that after years of addressing healthcare resource shortages, Bill 2 was the tipping point.
Hennessey highlighted the lack of control doctors have over essential elements required to meet the bill’s patient care targets, attributing these shortages to government control. He criticized the legislation for unfairly shifting the blame onto physicians for systemic failures and creating a potential “gag order effect” that is prompting doctors to consider relocating to Ontario.
The Ontario Medical Association expressed solidarity with Quebec colleagues, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between doctors and governments to ensure optimal patient care. Meanwhile, Quebec doctors’ federations have initiated legal challenges against Bill 2, prompting discussions with Premier François Legault’s office to address concerns while reaffirming their commitment to enhancing patient access to healthcare services.