The Quebec government issued a ministerial decree Wednesday to force optometrists to stay in the public health system as contract talks remain unresolved.
The move comes as optometrists had threatened to pull out of the public program on Nov. 22 over stalled negotiations at the bargaining table with the province.
Health Minister Christian Dubé said the ministerial decree will “protect vulnerable patients,” adding they shouldn’t “bear the brunt” of negotiations. In Quebec, children, people over 65 and low-income earners benefit from publicly-funded eye care.
“Now, negotiations must take place at the table,” Dubé wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The priority is to offer quality services to the population.”
The decree is in effect for the next six months.
In a statement, the Association des optométristes du Québec said it plans to challenge the government order. It noted nearly 90 per cent of its members had decided to withdraw from …