Press release

The FMSQ urges Health Minister Couillard to honour their signed agreement

Montreal, May 30 2006 – A meeting of members of the Federation of Medical Specialists of Quebec (the FMSQ) will be held at 5:45 p.m. today. Disgusted by the government’s offer, which repudiates the agreement signed with the FMSQ, the Federation will present medical specialists with an action plan it intends to put into effect in its bid to have the agreement honoured. Nearly 2,700 medical specialists have confirmed their attendance.

A signed agreement should be respected. Signatures have an inherent worth, and if the government’s signature is worthless, what does it say about our society? “Last week, Justice Sophie Bourque terminated procedures in the Marcel Talon case, stating that the government’s word carries such weight that it cannot be contested or doubted, and that the government has a duty to abide by it. If that is so in the case of a police informer, why should it be any different for doctors”, exclaimed Dr. Yves Dugré, the FMSQ President.

One offer, two different situations

The government’s offer is the same as that made to public service employees. Medical specialists however do not fall into this category. They are independent professionals and, unlike the government employees, their negotiations do not relate to the renewal of their agreement but rather the disparity in income acknowledged by the parties in 2003.

“The government has torn up the signed agreement and has made us an offer that has nothing to do with Letter of Agreement 146, either in spirit or in form,” Dugré states.

Background

In 2003 a memorandum of agreement was signed, with both the FMSQ and the government acknowledging that a substantial difference exists between the income of Quebec specialists and their counterparts in the rest of Canada.

The government made a commitment to remedy the situation. Discussions were then held to determine the extent of the disparity; an independent expert placed this at around 35%.

The FMSQ is continuing its newspaper campaign to make the public aware of the true value of medical specialists and the danger to which the public is exposed because of the government’s failure to honour its signature.

Note to the media : The media are invited to meet with Dr. Dugré again after the meeting for an update on the situation.

The Federation of Medical Specialists numbers more than 8,000 members in Quebec, representing 35 associations.

The sole agency recognized by government to negotiate collective agreements on behalf of medical specialists, the FMSQ is also consulted on every aspect of the organization of medical care in Quebec.

-30-