Quebec ‘ready to use’ notwithstanding clause to force doctors to practice in province [Video]

Quebec Premier François Legault says his government is prepared to use the notwithstanding clause to force doctors trained in Quebec universities to begin their careers in the province’s public system.

Speaking to reporters at the legislature on Wednesday, the premier said his government is considering requiring medical graduates in Quebec to reimburse the government for the cost of their education unless they practise in the province for a certain number of years.

“If it’s necessary, we are ready to use the notwithstanding clause. It’s too important,” Legault said. “We’re short of doctors. The doctors we train at taxpayers’ expense must practise in Quebec.”

Legault, leader of the Coalition Avenir Québec, acknowledged that such a move may contravene the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, saying he had looked into the issue when he was minister of education for his previous political party, the Parti Québécois.

He said he had concluded that …