New deal gives MDs 12.25% pay increase
September 16, 2008
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Rob Ferguson
QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU
GODERICH–Ontario's doctors will earn an extra $1 billion over the next four years under a tentative contract deal reached by the provincial government and the Ontario Medical Association.
The raise of 12.25 per cent should help Ontario retain existing doctors and attract new ones as the province continues to face a shortage of physicians, Premier Dalton McGuinty said yesterday.
"I think we've got a very fair agreement and I think that one of the things we've got to do, of course, is ensure that we're competitive," he said as Liberal MPPs gathered here to plan for the fall session of the Legislature starting Monday. "One dimension of that ... is ensuring that our doctors are fairly paid."
The Ontario Medical Association estimates 850,000 Ontarians still do not have a family doctor.
"This has been a difficult negotiation," OMA president Dr. Ken Arnold said in a letter to the province's 25,000 doctors, whose contract expired March 31. "Government took a tough stance on a number of our priority issues."
A source close to the talks said the fee increase was a "major" victory.
Officials for both sides said they are waiting to explain the deal to doctors across the province, who will vote Oct. 8-15.
"I do hope that they will ratify it because it's a fair deal for Ontario's doctors but I think, importantly, it's a fair deal for Ontario taxpayers," said Health Minister David Caplan.
The deal, worth about $8 billion overall, includes $240 million in new programs such as new or enhanced payments for treating infectious diseases, genetics, geriatric patients, public health and psychiatry, as well as more money for hospital admission assessments, consultations and subsequent visits.
There is also a pool of $100 million to help doctors collaborate more in clinics and partnership with other medical service providers, creating a wider range of care for patients.
As well, $20 million will go toward helping fill hospital shifts with on-call premiums for doctors.
The pay raises are slated to kick in with a 3 per cent increase staring Oct. 1. Next year sees a 2 per cent increase with raises of 3 and 4.25 per cent in the final two years.
Toronto Star
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