Press release

The FMSQ Considers Budget Satisfactory

Montreal, March 19, 2009 – The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (the FMSQ) considers that the 2009-2010 Quebec budget presented by the Minister of Finance is satisfactory insofar as health is concerned, given the context of the current recession.

“The budget is satisfactory, but the increase allocated to health, which maintains the status quo, only represents the costs of the system. Unfortunately, the health credits will not allow further expansion of the system or access to care,” commented Dr. Gaétan Barrette.

The Fédération had hoped that the government would decide to increase the QST right away in order to generate the revenue that Quebec needs if it is to deal with the issues facing it. “The FMSQ, in fact, publicly recommended such a measure a few weeks ago and, while we are glad that the government listened to us, we would have preferred that it implemented our suggestions in full,” said the President. “The one per cent increase in the QST could have been introduced immediately or early in 2010, followed by a further percentage point in 2011”.

The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec numbers more than 8,000 members in Quebec, representing 35 medical specialties. It is the sole organization recognized by government with respect to negotiating medical specialists' collective agreements, and is also consulted on all aspects of the organization of medical care in Quebec.