
Hundreds of doctors in Quebec, Canada are protesting their own proposed pay raise, saying the money would be better spent compensating underpaid nurses and other healthcare workers and improving patient care. (Photo: John Normile/Getty Images)
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Hundreds of doctors in Quebec, Canada are protesting their own proposed pay raise, saying the money would be better spent compensating underpaid nurses and other healthcare workers and improving patient care. (Photo: John Normile/Getty Images)
Hundreds of doctors in Quebec, Canada are asking the Ministry of Health to cancel a proposed pay raise it wants to give them, imploring the government to instead redirect the funds to other healthcare workers and patient care in the province.
"We, Quebec doctors who believe in a strong public system, oppose the recent salary increases negotiated by our medical federations," wrote Medecins Quebecois Pour le Regime Public (MQRP), in a letter signed by nearly 800 physicians. "We, Quebec doctors, are asking that the salary increases granted to physicians be canceled and that the resources of the system be better distributed for the good of healthcare workers."
"If you ask physicians in the street, most will tell you that they would rather have more support and have a good working environment and have other professionals to refer their patients to, rather than having more money." --Isabelle Leblanc, MQRPQuebec's healthcare system, administered by the province's Ministry of Health, has suffered "drastic cuts" recently, note the doctors, which they say should be reversed with the funds the government plans to use for raises.
The province's 20,000 doctors make an average of $198,000 to $314,000, and the government has proposed annual raises of 1.4 to 1.8 percent, costing Quebec about $1.2 billion over the next five years.
"These increases are all the more shocking because our nurses, clerks, and other professionals face very difficult working conditions, while our patients live with the lack of access to required services because of the drastic cuts in recent years," wrote the MQRP.
The funding cuts are the result of austerity measures taken by the province's health minister, Gaetan Barrette. In February, nurses staged a sit-in at a hospital in the Montreal suburb of Terrebonne to denounce overwork, echoing the concerns of Emilie Ricard, a young nurse who posted a photo of herself in tears and looking exhausted after working a night shift in which she alone cared for more than 70 patients. Nurses' unions say funding cuts have reduced the number of full-time positions available.
The cuts also appear to have caused the quality of patient care to suffer. Quebec's health and welfare commissioner found in 2016 that the province had the longest emergency room wait times in the West, with 35 percent of patients waiting five hours or more for care.
"If you ask physicians in the street, most will tell you that they would rather have more support and have a good working environment and have other professionals to refer their patients to, rather than having more money," Isabelle Leblanc, the president of MQRP, told the Guardian.
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Hundreds of doctors in Quebec, Canada are asking the Ministry of Health to cancel a proposed pay raise it wants to give them, imploring the government to instead redirect the funds to other healthcare workers and patient care in the province.
"We, Quebec doctors who believe in a strong public system, oppose the recent salary increases negotiated by our medical federations," wrote Medecins Quebecois Pour le Regime Public (MQRP), in a letter signed by nearly 800 physicians. "We, Quebec doctors, are asking that the salary increases granted to physicians be canceled and that the resources of the system be better distributed for the good of healthcare workers."
"If you ask physicians in the street, most will tell you that they would rather have more support and have a good working environment and have other professionals to refer their patients to, rather than having more money." --Isabelle Leblanc, MQRPQuebec's healthcare system, administered by the province's Ministry of Health, has suffered "drastic cuts" recently, note the doctors, which they say should be reversed with the funds the government plans to use for raises.
The province's 20,000 doctors make an average of $198,000 to $314,000, and the government has proposed annual raises of 1.4 to 1.8 percent, costing Quebec about $1.2 billion over the next five years.
"These increases are all the more shocking because our nurses, clerks, and other professionals face very difficult working conditions, while our patients live with the lack of access to required services because of the drastic cuts in recent years," wrote the MQRP.
The funding cuts are the result of austerity measures taken by the province's health minister, Gaetan Barrette. In February, nurses staged a sit-in at a hospital in the Montreal suburb of Terrebonne to denounce overwork, echoing the concerns of Emilie Ricard, a young nurse who posted a photo of herself in tears and looking exhausted after working a night shift in which she alone cared for more than 70 patients. Nurses' unions say funding cuts have reduced the number of full-time positions available.
The cuts also appear to have caused the quality of patient care to suffer. Quebec's health and welfare commissioner found in 2016 that the province had the longest emergency room wait times in the West, with 35 percent of patients waiting five hours or more for care.
"If you ask physicians in the street, most will tell you that they would rather have more support and have a good working environment and have other professionals to refer their patients to, rather than having more money," Isabelle Leblanc, the president of MQRP, told the Guardian.
Hundreds of doctors in Quebec, Canada are asking the Ministry of Health to cancel a proposed pay raise it wants to give them, imploring the government to instead redirect the funds to other healthcare workers and patient care in the province.
"We, Quebec doctors who believe in a strong public system, oppose the recent salary increases negotiated by our medical federations," wrote Medecins Quebecois Pour le Regime Public (MQRP), in a letter signed by nearly 800 physicians. "We, Quebec doctors, are asking that the salary increases granted to physicians be canceled and that the resources of the system be better distributed for the good of healthcare workers."
"If you ask physicians in the street, most will tell you that they would rather have more support and have a good working environment and have other professionals to refer their patients to, rather than having more money." --Isabelle Leblanc, MQRPQuebec's healthcare system, administered by the province's Ministry of Health, has suffered "drastic cuts" recently, note the doctors, which they say should be reversed with the funds the government plans to use for raises.
The province's 20,000 doctors make an average of $198,000 to $314,000, and the government has proposed annual raises of 1.4 to 1.8 percent, costing Quebec about $1.2 billion over the next five years.
"These increases are all the more shocking because our nurses, clerks, and other professionals face very difficult working conditions, while our patients live with the lack of access to required services because of the drastic cuts in recent years," wrote the MQRP.
The funding cuts are the result of austerity measures taken by the province's health minister, Gaetan Barrette. In February, nurses staged a sit-in at a hospital in the Montreal suburb of Terrebonne to denounce overwork, echoing the concerns of Emilie Ricard, a young nurse who posted a photo of herself in tears and looking exhausted after working a night shift in which she alone cared for more than 70 patients. Nurses' unions say funding cuts have reduced the number of full-time positions available.
The cuts also appear to have caused the quality of patient care to suffer. Quebec's health and welfare commissioner found in 2016 that the province had the longest emergency room wait times in the West, with 35 percent of patients waiting five hours or more for care.
"If you ask physicians in the street, most will tell you that they would rather have more support and have a good working environment and have other professionals to refer their patients to, rather than having more money," Isabelle Leblanc, the president of MQRP, told the Guardian.