‘Call 1-800-Doug-Ford’: Ontario, N.B. courting Quebec doctors unhappy with pay law

By Canadian Press on October 29, 2025.

MONTREAL — Ontario and New Brunswick are openly courting Quebec doctors upset over a recent provincial law that imposes a new method of remuneration on physicians.

At a Toronto news conference, Ontario Premier Doug Ford jokingly invited interested Quebec physicians to call “1-800-Doug-Ford” and reach out to him on his cellphone.

But despite the joke he was serious — Ford says he will roll out the red carpet for Quebec doctors looking to move west.

Quebec doctors have been outspoken against a law adopted Saturday that links compensation to performance targets and prohibits physicians from using pressure tactics that could interfere with access to care.

Pablo Rodriguez, Quebec Opposition leader, called news reports that up to 100 doctors were planning on leaving the province a “catastrophe.”

Earlier this week, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt on Radio-Canada defended efforts by the French-language Vitalité Health Network to recruit from Quebec amid the labour dispute.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 29, 2025.

The Canadian Press