Instead of organizing large gatherings at the Bell Centre, medical federations should return to the negotiating table, says François Legault.
“It’s fun to go to the Bell Centre, and show videos, and pump ourselves up, (…) but can’t we work together for the patients?” the premier said at a press conference in Beauharnois on Monday.
The day before, nearly 13,000 doctors had gathered at the Bell Centre to protest against Bill 2, a special law that was introduced on Oct. 24 and then passed under closure a few hours later.
This law changes the way doctors are paid, imposes performance targets on them and threatens them with sanctions if they disengage.
It includes plans to implement a system for monitoring doctors.
Medical federations, as well as the College of Physicians, are calling for the suspension of Bill 2, which Legault again refused on Monday.
“There are one and a half million Quebecers who do not have a family doctor, and then there are many Quebecers who have a doctor, but there is no one available in the evening and on weekends.
“What we want to discuss with the medical federations is how we can provide better access,” the premier argued.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
