The Quebec healthcare network is based on two complementary pillars: the public system, managed by CISSS/CIUSSS network establishments, and a private network of medical clinics that plays an increasing role in access to primary care. In this context, it is essential to understand how private medical clinics are regulated, what legal obligations they must comply with, and what rights patients can exercise.
La Clinique Omicron, with its service points in Brossard and Saint-Hubert on Montreal's South Shore, operates entirely within this legal framework. This article explains in detail how the regulation of private clinics in Quebec works, so that our patients can understand the system in which they receive their care.
What is a private medical clinic in Quebec?
A private medical clinic is a healthcare facility that offers medical services outside of the public hospital network. It can be structured as a business—a corporation, a cooperative, or any other recognized legal entity—and can therefore be owned, in whole or in part, by individuals who are not healthcare professionals themselves. This is a fundamental point that many patients are unaware of: in Quebec, as in the vast majority of Western countries, the ownership of a medical clinic is not restricted to physicians.
What is strictly regulated, on the other hand, is the practice of medicine Only doctors registered with the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) can diagnose, prescribe, and treat patients. The ownership structure of the clinic is separate from medical practice.
The Role of the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ)
The College of Physicians of Quebec is the professional order responsible for the supervision and regulation of medical practice in Quebec. Its main mandate is the public protection — and not the management of commercial structures in which doctors practice.
Here's what the CMQ actually regulates:
The issuance and maintenance of the practice license. All physicians must be registered with the CMQ to practice medicine in Quebec. This license is conditional upon training, professional examinations, continuing education, and the maintenance of strict ethical standards.
Clinical practice supervision. The CMQ can conduct professional inspections of its member physicians to ensure their practice meets professional standards. These inspections are regular and systematic.
Complaint processing. Any patient who believes they have received inadequate care can file a complaint directly with the CMQ. The College has a Syndic's Office that investigates all complaints received and can impose disciplinary sanctions on doctors found at fault.
Ethical guidelines. The Quebec Code of Ethics for Physicians establishes precise rules concerning confidentiality, informed consent, billing, medical advertising, and quality of care.
At Clinique Omicron, all practicing physicians are registered with the CMQ (Collège des médecins du Québec) and are subject to all of its obligations. Similarly, our nurse practitioners (NPs) and nurses are in good standing with the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ).
Is it legal to own a clinic without being a doctor?
Yes. It is legal, common, and even included in the Quebec legislative framework. The Act respecting health services and social services (AHSSS), the Medical Act, and the Professional Code govern medical practice—but not the ownership of companies that provide practice spaces for physicians.
This model has existed for decades. Entrepreneurs, investment groups, health cooperatives, and even non-profit organizations have created and manage medical clinics in Quebec. What matters from a legal and ethical perspective is that medical acts are performed by properly accredited professionals, that billing complies with the rules, and that patients' rights are respected.
What is prohibited, however, is the opposite situation: a non-physician giving medical instructions, prescribing treatments, or exercising control over a physician's clinical decisions. The physician's professional independence is protected by the Code of Ethics, even in the context of a private clinic with non-medical ownership.
The Healthcare Reprisal Protection Act
Since 2021, Quebec has strengthened protections for patients and healthcare professionals who report problematic situations. The law protects whistleblowers in the healthcare field and offers accelerated recourse for patients who believe they have suffered harm.
What are your rights as a patient in a private clinic?
As a patient in Quebec, you have the same fundamental rights whether you are in a public or private institution:
The right to informed consent. Before any treatment, intervention, or examination, the doctor must explain the nature of the care, its risks, its benefits, and the available alternatives. You may refuse any care, even if recommended.
The right to information on tariffs. A private clinic is obligated to clearly inform you of the costs of services before they are rendered, distinguishing between what is covered by the RAMQ and what is charged as an extra.
Your right to your medical records. You have the right to access your medical records, obtain a copy, and request corrections if there are errors.
The right to lodge a complaint. If you are not satisfied with the care you received or the conduct of a professional, you can file a complaint with the local clinic complaints commissioner, the CMQ (for doctors), the OIIQ (for nurses), or the Protecteur du citoyen.
The right to confidentiality. All information concerning you is protected by professional secrecy and by the Act respecting the protection of personal information in the private sector.
What to do if you have a complaint about Clinique Omicron?
Clinique Omicron encourages its patients to express any dissatisfaction directly, in the first instance, with our management team. We take all feedback seriously and are committed to responding to it promptly.
If you wish to escalate a formal complaint, you can contact:
- The College of Physicians of Quebec: www.cmq.org
- The Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec: www.oiiq.org
- The Directorate of Consumer Protection (for billing issues): www.opc.gouv.qc.ca
Conclusion: Transparency as the foundation of trust
The regulatory framework for private clinics in Quebec is solid, rigorous, and patient-focused. Clinique Omicron fully adheres to this framework: our doctors are members of the CMQ, our nurses are members of the OIIQ, and our billing practices comply with current regulations.
We believe that informed patients are better-cared-for patients. If you have any questions about our practices, our medical team, or our fees, we invite you to contact us directly or consult our FAQ section.
Omicron Clinic
Need to consult a doctor?
Treatment within 24-48 hours. In-clinic or telemedicine, anywhere in Quebec.
Insurance receipts. 7j/7. No family doctor required.
