Quebec to impose heavy fines on doctors leaving public healthcare system

In December 2024, Quebec's health minister Christian Dubé introduced a bill aimed at addressing the increasing trend of new doctors leaving the public health system. The legislation mandates that any new physician trained in Quebec must work within the public health network for a minimum of five years. If they choose to move to the private sector or relocate out of the province during this period, they would incur severe financial penalties of up to $200,000 per day. This decisive action comes in response to reported figures indicating a 70 percent increase in the number of doctors migrating to the private sector since 2020, particularly amongst recent graduates from the province. In recent years, the province has invested heavily in training new doctors, with individual training costs estimated between $435,000 and $790,000, covering everything from education to residency. Dubé emphasized the moral obligation of doctors to serve the population that funded their education and expressed concern over the loss of medical professionals to other jurisdictions. A spokesperson for Dubé revealed that between 2015 and 2017, out of 2,536 new doctors trained in Quebec, approximately 400 have left to practice elsewhere, particularly in Ontario. This trend is alarming for public health officials in Quebec, who believe the financial penalties outlined in the bill would serve as a strong deterrent to prevent new doctors from abandoning their commitments. The opposition parties in the Quebec legislature have shown support for the proposed bill, indicating a consensus on the importance of maintaining a robust public health workforce. However, discussions and studies of the bill are not scheduled to occur until January, leaving the ultimate fate of the legislation uncertain. The motivations behind the growing movement of physicians towards private healthcare options often revolve around perceived better working conditions, higher salaries, and more autonomy compared to the public sector. This shift towards privatization raises concerns about healthcare accessibility for the general population, as a substantial departure of healthcare professionals from the public system could leave critical gaps in service delivery for citizens who rely on public healthcare services. The future implications of this bill remain to be seen, especially as Quebec continues to grapple with balancing the viability of its public health system against the increasing allure of private medical practice.