By The Canadian Press

Quebec private doctors challenge law forcing five years of public system work

Jan 29, 2026 | 11:22 AM

MONTREAL — Quebec’s private doctors federation is mounting a legal challenge against a law that requires all new doctors to practice in the province’s public system for five years.

The Fédération des médecins en pratique privée du Québec is asking Superior Court for a stay on the measure, which they describe as unjustified and discriminatory.

They are also asking the court to invalidate some provisions of the provincial law that came into effect in April 2025.

The law was tabled in order to address the growing number of doctors who were leaving the public system to practice privately.

It imposes hefty fines on any doctors who enter the private sector or move outside the province within the first five years of their careers.

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The private doctor’s group says the law restricts patients’ access to timely care and can interrupt their ongoing therapeutic relationships with private providers.

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The Canadian Press’s health coverage is supported by a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for this journalistic content.

The Canadian Press