N.B. sees surge in interest from Quebec physicians during labour dispute

An increasingly heated labour dispute in Quebec could be good news for New Brunswick's physician recruitment efforts.

The François Legault government has been at odds with doctors over compensation for months, and drew renewed anger this weekend as it passed a bill in the Quebec National Assembly to force a compensation agreement doctors oppose.

As the conflict intensifies, New Brunswick is seeing significantly more interest from Quebec physicians.

The New Brunswick College of Physicians and Surgeons said it typically receives three or four licence applications from Quebec each month.

But that number rose significantly in October.

As of Tuesday, 40 doctors had applied this month to practise in New Brunswick, said spokesperson Aleisha LaMorre.

Vitalité Health Network also said there's been "a recent uptick of informal expressions of interest" from doctors looking at employment with the Francophone health authority.

New Brunswick is seeing the impact of a "fracture" created by the approach Quebec's government has taken, according to New Brunswick Medical Society president Dr. Lise Babin.

"The situation in Quebec is extremely alarming," Babin said in a statement. "The passage of Bill 2 has created an untenable situation for our colleagues.

"In light of the continued health human resource shortage, the [medical society] welcomes any physicians from across the country who are interested in practising here, though it is not our intention to try to capitalize on the difficulties facing our out-of-province colleagues."  

A spokesperson for Vitalité confirmed the health network has been running an advertising campaign aimed at Quebec doctors, who are holding a medical conference this week in Montreal.

Premier Susan Holt said she believes it's fair to recruit Quebec doctors amid the conflict.

She said provinces across the country are dealing with shortages, and there's a lot of competition for physicians.

"I think that Vitalité is offering an opportunity to come here to New Brunswick, it's for the professionals to decide if they're interested," Holt said, speaking with reporters in French.