Doctor shortage looming in Quebec, QMA warns

The Quebec Medical Association is warning of a looming doctor shortage in the province if the government doesn't do anything to improve its relations with the medical profession.

The association released the results of a survey on Wednesday that indicated almost a quarter of Quebec's doctors are set to leave the province within five years.

Almost all of those planning to leave cited as a reason the contract and working conditions that were imposed on them by the government in June.

Health Minister Philippe Couillard said he understands their frustration, but he had no choice but to impose the contract on them.

"This had to be done in the context of our finances. If you don't want to increase the burden on Quebecers, we have to be very disciplined in that regard," he said.

The QMA president, Dr. Robert Ouellet, said contracts were negotiated — not imposed — in every other province and the results were good for doctors.

Ouellet said the days when young doctors would stay in Quebec because they only spoke French are over.

"They are really aware of what they could have elsewhere," he said.

He said it's young doctors who appear most likely to move, because they are more aware of what is happening outside Quebec, and they aren't as limited by language issues.