The Current Why doctors are threatening to leave Quebec
Nov 3, 2025
Dr. Lynn Couture, a family physician and president of the Association of Family Physicians of the Laurentians–Lanaudière, passionately critiques a new law in Quebec that she claims undermines doctors’ rights and worsens working conditions. André Picard, a health columnist with The Globe and Mail, provides insightful analysis on the political fallout and how these changes might fail to improve patient care. Both guests explore the potential exodus of doctors from Quebec and contrast the province's rigid approach to more flexible models in other jurisdictions.
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Law Ties Pay To Targets And Penalties
- Quebec passed a law tying doctor pay to performance targets and threatening fines for non-compliance.
- The law aims to improve access but doctors call it draconian and anti-democratic.
Doctor Warns Of Chaos In Clinics
- Dr. Lynn Couture says the law dictates how physicians practice and creates a surveillance system to monitor them.
- She warns clinics will face chaos when 1.5 million patients are assigned without more staff or resources.
Compensation Shift Reduces Physician Revenue
- The new compensation mixes hourly pay, per-visit fees and collective capitation with a 15% performance supplement.
- Dr. Couture says the structure reduces physician revenue and shifts risk because physicians are self-employed and pay overhead.