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 restructures doctors’ pay.
Within just over a two-week period, the CPSO witnessed a significant increase in applicants, with 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 physicians, with the rest representing various specialties such as general practice, pediatrics, radiology, and anesthesiology. Quebec’s Bill 2, scheduled to come into effect in the upcoming year, ties doctors’ compensation to performance metrics related to patient care numbers and imposes hefty fines on doctors engaging in collective action against government policies.
The CPSO noted that reasons for the applications were not disclosed by the doctors, and not all applications will necessarily result in certification, as some may be withdrawn or revoked.
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 licensed to practice. He expressed frustration over ongoing challenges in the healthcare system, exacerbated by the new bill in Quebec.
Hennessey highlighted that the legislation places unrealistic expectations on doctors by linking compensation to factors beyond their control, such as hospital resources and staffing. He criticized the bill for shifting blame onto physicians and limiting their ability to address patient needs effectively.
Despite facing similar staffing and resource issues in Ontario, Hennessey emphasized the comparatively more open communication environment for doctors in the province. This contrast has led many Quebec 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 while maintaining stability in healthcare systems across provinces.
Following the introduction of Bill 2, Quebec’s medical federations initiated legal challenges, prompting discussions between the government and healthcare stakeholders to address concerns and potential next steps. Quebec officials defended the bill as a measure aimed at enhancing patient access to primary care providers.
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé refrained from commenting on individual doctors’ decisions but acknowledged the importance of retaining all healthcare professionals in Quebec to support the province’s healthcare system.