The Canadian Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (CSCRS), the Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS), the Canadian Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (CHPBA), the Canadian Hernia Society (CHS), and the Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology express their deep concern regarding the Government of Quebec’s adoption of Special Bill 2.
While our members strongly support initiatives that promote accountability, performance measurement, and the pursuit of high-quality health care, we believe these goals must never come at the expense of the fundamental rights of physicians and surgeons to practice within evidence-based norms and to choose their place of work without fear of reprisals. The ability to do so, with the support of hospital administrations and government institutions, is essential to maintaining a functional and motivated medical workforce.
All Canadian provinces experience periodic shortages in certain medical specialties. However, Quebec already faces significant challenges in recruiting general surgeons and other surgical specialists outside major urban centres. Furthermore, the number of anticipated retirements over the next five to ten years far exceeds the number of available residency positions, which will exacerbate these shortages.
No province can sustain a major disruption in its surgical workforce, nor can we afford to discourage medical students and trainees from pursuing careers in Quebec because of restrictive policies that undermine professional autonomy.
Improving access to surgical care is a central priority of our organizations. This can only be achieved by expanding the surgical care workforce—including surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and allied health professionals—rather than by enacting measures that assign blame or create additional barriers. Holding surgeons responsible for systemic wait-time issues is counterproductive and diverts attention from the real structural challenges facing our health system.
The CSCRS, CAGS, CHPBA, CHS and CSSO therefore condemn the adoption of Special Bill 2 and calls upon the Government of Quebec to withdraw this legislation immediately. We urge the government to engage in good-faith discussions and collaborative negotiations with medical professionals. Only through mutual respect, open dialogue, and a restoration of trust can we achieve our shared goal: improving access to high-quality surgical care for all Canadians.
Signed,
The Canadian Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
The Canadian Association of General Surgeons
The Canadian Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association
The Canadian Hernia Society
The Canadian Society of Surgical Oncology