For Med 1 to 3 students - plans for the week of Oct. 20

October 17, 2025

Dear students,   

As we enter the sixth week of work actions, we recognize the ongoing stress this situation continues to cause. We know how difficult it is, especially given how little control any of us have over the circumstances. 

This a work conflict between the federations representing physicians and the government. Negotiation is between those two parties, and those most affected – medical students and the faculties of medicine – are not at the table. Like you, we are receiving updates through the media. We do not have inside access or advance knowledge of how or when this situation will evolve.  

What we can do, and have been doing, is actively advocating for you and preparing and updating contingency plans on a weekly basis with constantly moving goal posts. We have also been working on a long-term plan that is evolving with each passing day. That plan will be shared when a date for the resumption of teaching and supervision activities is known. Here are some of the concrete actions happening behind the scenes: 

• Dr. Fellows has been meeting regularly, sometimes multiple times in the same day, with the deans of the other three faculties. Dr. Cossette, as the spokesperson this year of the Conférence des doyennes et doyens des facultés de médecine de Québec (CDFM), has been giving media interviews to highlight the impact the pressure tactics are having on you. 

• Together, the four deans have also been meeting at least twice a week with representatives from the ministries of health and higher education to communicate the current and anticipated impacts and to reinforce the urgency of finding a resolution. 

• The rectors of the four universities have been meeting with each other and with the Minister of Higher Education. 

• Two letters, one at the outset of the conflict and another last Friday, have been sent to both the FMSQ and the government, with the FMOQ on copy, outlining the toll this is taking on learners and will ultimately take on the health care system. 

• At the Associate Dean level, Dr. Mondou has also been coordinating with her counterparts among the four faculties of medicine and has been leading the advocacy with national bodies, including the AFMC and CaRMS. This advocacy has led to the addition of visiting elective opportunities across Canada and extended translation deadlines for CaRMS. 

• Finally, our UGME leadership and administrative teams have been working tirelessly behind the scenes, analyzing the situation for each individual student and developing contingency plans despite the many unknowns. 

We see the toll this is taking on all of you, and we remain committed to doing everything we can to support your education and well-being under these very difficult circumstances. If you need support, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Medical Learner Affairs.  

Our lines of communication remain open if you need to reach out. We will continue to provide updates by email as new information emerges, and to continue to hold Town Halls. 

Thank you for your patience, resilience, and professionalism during this time. 

Med-1 Class of 2029   

We have updated your one45 schedule for the week of Oct 20-24. Please make sure to review your one45 schedule, including in the morning before class to verify your room numbers.  

Lectures   
Any lectures given by non-physicians and professors from non-clinical departments will continue as scheduled. Any lectures given by medical specialists will be cancelled and we will post last year’s recordings in their place.   The new lecture “Family Medicine: 
Approach to common respiratory conditions” has been postponed. 

Small groups   
Small groups will continue as scheduled.   

LFME  
For your LFME course, if you have an LFME session next week, please contact your LFME preceptor to verify if the session will take place or if it will be postponed. 

Exams   
Exam will carry on as scheduled. 

Physicianship   
For CO the lecture Rôle du soignant: le point de vue des patients - le patient en pneumologie that was scheduled for October 22 can no longer take place and will be rescheduled fora later date. 
For MTL: The POCUS Ultrasound session on Oct 21-22 will run as planned. Please review the materials and complete the pre-test prior to the session.  
For CO: Unfortunately, the POCUS ultrasound session that was scheduled for October 20 can no longer take place and will be rescheduled for a later date. 
For your Physicianship Apprenticeship course, if you have an Osler mentor meeting or clinical encounter scheduled next week, please contact your Osler Fellow to verify if your meeting will take place or if it will be postponed.