Over 800 Canadian doctors reject pay raises, say they already earn too much

While thousands of workers around the world protest for higher wages, more than 800 doctors in Canada are protesting their own pay raises.

The doctors belong to Médecins Québécois pour le Regime Public (MQRP), a public group of physicians from various regions of Quebec who advocate for the full implementation of the Canada Health Act.

The MQRP took to their official website to oppose the recent salary increase as negotiated by Canada’s medical federations.

“These increases are all the more shocking because our nurses, clerks, and other professionals face very difficult working conditions, while our patients live with the lack of access to required services because of the drastic cuts in recent years, and the centralization of powering the Ministry of Health,” wrote MQRP last Feb. 28. “The only thing that seems to be immune to the cuts is our remuneration.”

The Quebec doctors then asked that the pay raises granted to them be revoked and given instead to other healthcare workers: “We, Quebec doctors, are asking that the salary increases granted to physicians be canceled and that the resources of the system be better distributed for the good of the health care workers and to provide health services worthy to the people of Quebec.”

It is known that last Feb. 1, the MQRP also published a letter denouncing the working conditions of Quebec nurses and the lack of respect of the government towards them. They have also opposed last Feb. 17 the $500 million worth of pay increases for specialist doctors, which they called “indecent in a context where it lacks funds in so many sectors of the public health system.”

“MQRP advocates for the improvement of our public health system, working conditions for all health professionals with better inter professional collaboration,” the group stressed. “That’s how better patient care will be delivered, not by raising the salaries of already high-paying doctors.” JB

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Canada flooding forces evacuations, military deployment

OTTAWA, Canada — The Canadian army has begun to deploy in eastern Canada, where flooding from heavy rain forced new evacuations on Saturday ahead of peak floods expected on Monday or Tuesday.

Water levels continued to rise on Saturday from Toronto and Lake Ontario up to 500 kilometers (300 miles) downstream of the St. Lawrence River, especially in Quebec province, where some 400 troops have been dispatched.

The worst is yet to come, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard warned on Saturday.

“The water will continue rising over the next two or three days,” he said after visiting the town of Rigaud, east of Montreal, which has been flooded for more than a week.

The government ordered the troop deployment on Friday.

“Our troops are responding quickly and professionally, and are already beginning to deliver critical support to Canadians affected by the flooding,” Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said on Saturday.

Torrential rains have added to runoff from melting snow that has caused rivers to overflow their banks, posing a critical situation from Ottawa to Montreal.

The emergency services warned that rising waters would reach regions east of Montreal, where precipitation by Sunday night could reach between 90 and 125 millimeters (3.5 to 5 inches).

Near the Atlantic, the New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization warned residents to remain on alert until Monday, saying water levels are near or above flood stage in many regions and expected to rise.

In Quebec, the province hardest hit by the flooding, more than 1,500 homes have been flooded in 121 towns and cities and nearly 1,000 people evacuated, the emergency services said.

“I understand people are reluctant to leave their homes,” Couillard said, “but if you’re asked, do it for your own safety. CBB

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net