We are doctoral students in psychology. We chose this field of study because we want to help the most vulnerable people. While we are in college, most of our friends are working, buying homes, and contributing to their RRSPs. We made the choice to do 10 years of university and we accept it.
We understand that several years of study are necessary to be able to do complex work which consists, among other things, of assessing and treating mental health disorders. To pay for our studies and limit our debts, many of us work in private practice, where the remuneration is significantly higher than that which would be offered to us in the public network. Our first choice at the end of these long studies would be to work in hospitals, CLSCs, family medicine groups, youth centers, schools and CEGEPs. However, due to the current working conditions, and out of spite, most of us will choose to work in the private sector. You wonder why ?
Have you ever seen the salary scale for psychologists in the public network in Quebec? It starts at $ 26 an hour. The pay differentials are major with multiple points of comparison: psychologists in the private sector earn almost 30% more than those in the public network, taking into account all social benefits such as retirement and vacation; psychologists in the Ontario public network earn $ 45,000 more per year than those in Quebec; psychiatrists earn 300% more, while having training of similar duration; the other professionals in the health network who hold a bachelor’s degree retire about six years earlier than their psychologist colleagues, with $ 300,000 more in assets in their pockets; and teachers in Quebec will earn nearly $ 2,000 more per year than psychologists, following the latest negotiations. All these workers amply deserve their wages, that is not the question. But why are psychologists still forgotten?
You will understand that it is no longer even a question of money, but a question of respect and recognition. […]
What could attract us to the network? Obtain a remuneration that reflects the fact that we start working around the age of 30 because of a compulsory doctorate, and thus no longer be at a disadvantage compared to others. A mark of recognition that would clearly indicate the government’s desire to offer psychological services in the public network. Unfortunately, a revocable premium that is not considered in the calculation for our retirement will not attract us to the network.
We fail to understand the government’s inaction and its reluctance to implement the solutions proposed by the Coalition of Psychologists of the Quebec Public Network. Especially in the current context, where mental health problems affect our society more than ever, both on a human and economic level. Unfortunately, it is the most vulnerable people and our partners in the public network (eg doctors, nurses) who suffer from this inaction. The solution is not limited to ensuring a pairing between doctoral students in psychology and positions available in the public network at the end of their internship, since 75% of new psychologists choose to practice in the private sector. Of the 25% who choose the public, more than 40% leave it within the first five years of practice, mainly due to insufficient salary conditions. The solution must imperatively include a major salary catch-up. Parity with the private sector is a minimum.
We want to work in the public network, contribute to improving the psychological well-being of the most suffering people, collaborate as a multidisciplinary team, help free family doctors and relieve emergencies. We are waiting for a signal from the government, a fair salary recognition. And then, we will be present and happy to be!