The Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ) and Quebec government will resume negotiations – after the family doctor’s federation walked away from the table Thursday morning.
“The negotiators have all the authority they need to find a solution to this crisis,” said Dr. Marc-André Amyot, president of the FMOQ.
On Friday afternoon, Dr. Amyot met once again with Premier François Legault after the premier called him the day before to get together and see how they could find a path forward to restart talks.
“It was a productive meeting, a good meeting. It allowed us to reiterate what we agreed on last week, and I am now confident that the messages will be properly conveyed at the negotiating table,” explained Dr. Amyot. “We are starting intensive negotiations tonight and will continue throughout the weekend.”
Dr. Amyot wouldn’t elaborate more on the meeting – or on what caused the rupture Thursday. But added that he “trusts the Premier.”
The talks are aimed to improve the reform of the remuneration system – known as Bill 2.
The law will apply on Jan. 1, 2026, if no compromise is found.
The Premier also met withDr. Vincent Oliva, president of the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ), late Friday afternoon. And just before 6 p.m. Dr. Oliva emerged from the meeting, saying it too was productive – but he needs to bring back to his members what was discussed, before they see if their federation will resume talks.
Talks with the FMSQ came to a halt in October, before Bill 2 was pushed through. The Legault government had presented a fourth offer to the specialists, which was rejected the same day, with the federation calling it a “declaration of war.”