2024-11-06 16:29:00
Forcing new doctors trained in Quebec to work in the public for a few years would be discriminatory, recognizes François Legault. His government is still ready to move forward, by imposing the exemption clause.
The Prime Minister had considered such an avenue when he was PQ Minister of Education at the turn of the 2000s, but without moving forward.
This is because the measure would have created discrimination between richer and less well-off citizens, he explained on Wednesday.
“If we ask medical students to repay their tuition fees, if they want to move to Ontario or the United States, that puts young people who are poorer, who do not have the capacity to repay, in a different situation of young people who are richer, who are able to repay,” he summarized to the parliamentary press.
The PQ government should therefore have applied the notwithstanding clause in order to avoid being challenged in court under section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Another time, other mores, François Legault now says he is ready to apply this “nuclear weapon” in constitutional matters.
“If it is necessary, we are ready to use the derogation clause,” he assures. It’s too important. We have a shortage of doctors, there is a shortage of doctors all over the world. Doctors who are trained at the expense of taxpayers in Quebec must practice in Quebec.”
Non-negotiable obligation
For the moment, Christian Dubé has not announced how he intends to force young graduates from Quebec universities to work in the public network during their first years of practice.
“We are looking exactly: will there be penalties or would it be a non-disputable, negotiable obligation?” revealed Mr. Legault on Wednesday.
Mr. Dubé must table his bill before the holiday break.
“Wean”
During the question period, solidarity MP Vincent Marissal also returned to Christian Dubé’s comments the day before. The minister then affirmed that the health network would be on the verge of being “weaned” from the private sector.
Mr. Dubé corrected himself a few hours later, ensuring that the private sector will remain complementary to the public network.
“He was wrong for two hours, for two hours,” said Vincent Marissal at the Salon rouge, incredulous.
Christian Dubé once again explained that he would rather “supervise the private system, particularly at the level of doctors”.
Furthermore, the idea of forcing young doctors to provide a compulsory service is well received, assures the minister.
“In the last three days, since announcing our intention to introduce a compulsory practice bill for new doctors, you would be surprised at the number of calls I have received in support of this project,” he said.
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**Interview with François Legault, Premier of Quebec**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Premier Legault. Thank you for joining us today. You recently mentioned that your government is prepared to use the notwithstanding clause to ensure that newly trained doctors remain in Quebec to serve in the public healthcare system. Can you elaborate on what prompted this decision?
**François Legault:** Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. The main reason for considering the notwithstanding clause is to address the urgent shortage of doctors in Quebec. We are facing significant challenges in our healthcare system, and ensuring that those who are trained at the expense of Quebec taxpayers serve our communities is crucial.
**Interviewer:** You acknowledge that this could potentially discriminate against certain groups. How do you reconcile that with the need for a solution to the doctor shortage?
**François Legault:** It’s a valid concern, and I recognize the potential for discrimination. However, the need for healthcare is pressing. We need to find a balance between ensuring that we have enough doctors and considering the implications for all Quebecers. This is a complex issue, but the need for doctors in our public system is a priority that cannot wait.
**Interviewer:** Some have drawn comparisons to your earlier considerations when you were in a different role and chose not to pursue similar measures. What has changed in your perspective since then?
**François Legault:** Yes, I have reflected on my past decisions. The situation today is different. The healthcare crisis we are experiencing is unprecedented, and the pressure on our system is immense. While I was cautious then about potential discrimination, the urgency of our current healthcare needs means we must explore all options, even those we previously hesitated to implement.
**Interviewer:** You referred to the notwithstanding clause as a “nuclear weapon” in constitutional matters. Are you concerned about the potential backlash from using it?
**François Legault:** Absolutely, I understand the implications of using such a powerful tool. However, my primary responsibility is to the people of Quebec and their healthcare needs. If we must use the notwithstanding clause to protect our ability to implement essential policies, I am prepared to do so. We need to prioritize the welfare of our citizens above all.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what steps are you taking to ensure that there is a clear plan for enforcing this obligation on new doctors?
**François Legault:** We are still finalizing the details with Minister Dubé, and no announcements have been made yet. We want to ensure that any measures we take will be effective and fair. The goal is to develop a system that both ensures the provision of healthcare and respects the needs of our young graduates. We will communicate a comprehensive plan to the public soon.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Premier Legault, for your insights today. We appreciate your time.
**François Legault:** Thank you for having me.
