Over the past few weeks, many members have contacted the federation and their respective associations to understand why the new collective agreement is still not in effect. Even representatives from healthcare institutions have questioned us about this!
As stated in the last edition of Info-Négo, the final text of our collective agreement was signed by your representatives—at the request of government representatives—on July 21. The government confirmed in writing. on July 23, that everything was in order and that they would “follow up and make the necessary efforts to obtain the Minister’s signature as quickly as possible.”
It has now been three months.
- We expected the process to take a few weeks due to the slowdown in government activities during the summer. However, the current collective agreement was signed by the Minister of Health, in 2018, less than a month after our signature. So, what explains such a long delay this time?
- After another follow-up with Minister Dubé, in which we asked whether he was refusing to sign the agreed-upon agreement, his office finally informed us last week that the process would still “take a few more weeks at most”...
- We are therefore facing a clear lack of diligence in handling the matter, and we must also question whether this is a bad faith tactic aimed at delaying the implementation of our agreement.
- Yet, after the members ratified the agreement in principle, the government issued a press release, on April 8, in which the President of the Treasury Board and the Minister of Health jointly stated: “this agreement (…) will allow better access to care for the Quebec population, while improving working conditions for resident doctors.” What has changed since then? Negotiations with the FMOQ and FMSQ? The CAQ’s new strategy of relying on “doctor bashing” to try to recover from their growing unpopularity in the polls?
At the Delegates’ Assembly Meeting last Saturday, we reported the situation to your representatives. They unanimously voted for a resolution providing for an escalation of pressure tactics, starting with legal action and potentially leading, if necessary, to a strike.
It may seem strange to talk about a strike when we have already signed the agreement sent by the other party, but what else can we do when our counterparts seem to be blocking its implementation?
The delay in the Minister’s signature deprives you of several provisions of the new agreement, notably the optional rest starting on the 8th consecutive working day (in a sequence of 12 to 19 consecutive days). And we’re not even talking about the negotiated salary compensations, while our members haven’t had a salary increase since 2021 and inflation hasn’t taken a break since then.
That’s why, in accordance with the resolution adopted by your delegates, last Saturday, our lawyers have served Minister Dubé with a formal notice demanding that he sign the agreement without delay. Failing a prompt signature, we will undertake all necessary legal actions and resume the process of implementing pressure tactics, including a strike.
We will keep you informed of developments. You will, of course, be consulted in assembly if additional mobilization measures (such as a strike) are to be undertaken.
Your federation
Email sent to all members on October 22, 2025