Latest news with #Collègedesmédecins
Montreal Gazette
3 days ago
- General
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: Silencing doctors sends a chill
Letters To The Editor I am appalled that the Collège des médecins is telling its members not to communicate with patients about proposed legislation that could change how doctors are paid. What right does the Collège have to do this? It must be taking its cues from the government. That's a problem, especially when the political climate south of the border chips away at the right to say anything that disagrees with the government's line. Meanwhile, doctors are saying they are working under too many levels of management in a health system that is broken and toxic. Who among us would like to be in their place? Negotiating should be about arriving at a compromise. But it seems the government knows what it wants and has the power to ultimately get it. It just doesn't have to suffer with the result. That's left to the rest of us. Rod Elkin, Pierrefonds The cheers we hear for Canada's team All across the country we can hear Canadians shouting in unison: 'Go Oilers Go!' Even in Quebec, people are adding their voices to the chorus — though some presumably with shouts of: 'Allez Pétroliers Allez!' Robert Fox, Dorval Ghazal should honour her oath Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal declares Canada to be 'a bizarre country' because we invited 'the monarch of a foreign country' to read the throne speech. Whatever else King Charles III may be, he is the constitutional monarch of Canada. Ghazal, like me, is a naturalized Canadian. I assume she had to pass a citizenship test and swear her allegiance and duty to the constitutional monarch — not as a feudal overlord but as a symbol of our sovereign Constitution. Political leaders should know the Constitution and honour their oaths. Elaine Bander, Montreal Student's plea a poignant reminder Re: ' Dear Miss Teacher, Why can't I fail too? ' (Opinion, May 31) What an absolutely true and heart-rending appeal to teachers by Maïka Forget. A poignant reminder that grades should not be the only things that make an individual a good student. As a retired teacher, I was always guided by a strong underlying belief in the capacity of each young life I was privileged to have in my classroom. I salute Forget's determination that, despite the performance assessment of our educational system, she is committed to 'make the world a better place.' It is my most profound belief that she will. Vivianne M. Silver, Côte-St-Luc Submitting a letter to the editor Letters should be sent by email to letters@ We prioritize letters that respond to, or are inspired by, articles published by The Gazette. If you are responding to a specific article, let us know which one. Letters should be sent uniquely to us. The shorter they are — ideally, fewer than 200 words — the greater the chance of publication. Timing, clarity, factual accuracy and tone are all important, as is whether the writer has something new to add to the conversation. We reserve the right to edit and condense all letters. Care is taken to preserve the core of the writer's argument. Our policy is not to publish anonymous letters, those with pseudonyms or 'open letters' addressed to third parties. Letters are published with the author's full name and city or neighbourhood/borough of residence. Include a phone number and address to help verify identity; these will not be published. We will not indicate to you whether your letter will be published. If it has not been published within 10 days or so, it is not likely to be.
Montreal Gazette
29-05-2025
- Health
- Montreal Gazette
Don't send letters about Bill 106 to patients, Quebec's college of physicians tells doctors
Quebec Politics By Quebec's college of physicians is demanding an end to any communications sent to patients about proposed legislation that could change how doctors are paid. The Collège des médecins issued a statement on social media platforms late Wednesday afternoon after reports of patients receiving letters from their doctors or clinics about Bill 106. It also notes its invesgations department is aware of the situation. 'The professional order responsible for protecting the public strongly condemns these publications, which focus on limited access to one's physician or abandoning part of its clientele,' said the order's president, Mauril Gaudreault. 'They convey false information and use personal information intended solely for the provision of health care.' Some patients were reportedly told access to their family physician could be compromised if Bill 106 — which is the subject of committee hearings at the National Assembly — becomes law. Under the plan, 25 per cent of a doctor's salary could be tied to various performance objectives in an effort to see them take on more patients. The Collège des médecins is among the organizations that have spoken out against the bill, saying it 'strongly disagrees' with the proposed renumeration model. It is also concerned doctors will spend less time with patients if they have to meet quotas. Earlier Wednesday, Health Minister Christian Dubé and opposition parties roundly criticized the move by some doctors and clinics. 'Honestly, sending letters to your patients, I find it skirts the ethical border,' Liberal health critic André Fortin said.
