Doctors begin resigning over Quebec’s new Bill 2, citing government overreach

Doctors begin resigning over Quebec’s new Bill 2, citing government overreach

Via CTV news 42,080 views Nov 7, 2025 #canadiannews #ctvnationalnews #ctvnews
Dr. Trevor Hennessey, who recently resigned from the Outaouais Health Authority, says there are long-standing issues within Quebec’s health system.

Dr. Trevor Hennessey, who recently resigned from the Outaouais Health Authority, says there are long-standing issues within Quebec’s health system.

Quebec's new Bill 2 has led to significant unrest among physicians, resulting in resignations due to concerns over government overreach and changes to their compensation structure. Many doctors believe the bill imposes unrealistic performance targets and could worsen the already strained healthcare system in the province.
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Overview of Bill 2 in Quebec
Bill 2 is a new legislation in Quebec that significantly alters how physicians are compensated. It was adopted without extensive debate and has faced strong opposition from the medical community. The law ties 10% of physicians' salaries to performance targets, which has raised concerns about its impact on healthcare delivery.

Key Issues Raised by Physicians
Financial Concerns
Many doctors fear that the funding cuts and lower salaries imposed by Bill 2 will lead to the closure of family clinics.
Physicians have expressed that they may not be able to sustain their practices under the new financial model.
Resignations and Protests
Since the introduction of Bill 2, over a thousand physicians have protested, and several have resigned from their positions.
Notable resignations include those from the Outaouais Health Authority, highlighting dissatisfaction with the government's approach.
Government Justification
The Quebec government argues that these reforms are necessary to improve access to healthcare. They aim to ensure that every resident has access to a primary care provider by summer 2026. However, critics argue that the law shifts the burden of systemic issues onto physicians, who are already facing significant challenges in the healthcare system.

Future Implications
The ongoing discontent among physicians could lead to further resignations and a worsening of the healthcare crisis in Quebec, where many residents already lack access to primary care. The situation remains fluid, with potential legal challenges to the bill being considered by medical associations.

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