Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

The Association des microbiologistes du Québec (AMQ) is raising concerns about serious public
health risks after their request to be officially regulated under a professional order was
suspended by the Office des professions du Québec. The AMQ has been advocating for years
for microbiologists to be included in Quebec’s professional regulatory system, which would
establish formal oversight to ensure microbiologists meet high professional standards and
protect public safety.

The suspension, according to the Office des professions, was due to a backlog of similar
requests for professional regulation across various fields. However, no timeline or indication of
when the request might be revisited was provided, leaving microbiologists without the regulatory
framework they argue is essential for their field.

“We deeply regret this suspension, which adds to a long-standing lack of political ambition
toward our cause,” said Marc Hamilton, president of the AMQ. “Without professional oversight,
we’re leaving critical sectors vulnerable, and the public is at risk.” Microbiologists play a key role
in fields such as healthcare, food safety, environmental monitoring, and pharmaceuticals. “Risks
to public health can range from improper handling of infections in hospitals to contamination in
food production,” Hamilton explained. The AMQ outlined 27 specific areas where they believe
the lack of regulation could lead to serious public safety issues, including failures in infection
control and hazards in food safety and pharmaceutical production.

The AMQ’s request for regulation is aimed at bringing microbiologists under a professional order
—like doctors, nurses, and engineers—which would require members to adhere to strict
standards of competence and ethics. Currently, no such formal oversight exists for
microbiologists in Quebec, meaning there is no external body to ensure their qualifications and
practices meet the necessary standards to protect public health.

In addition to the suspension of their request for regulation, the AMQ was excluded from
consultations on Bill 67, a proposed law aimed at modernizing Quebec’s professional system,
particularly in health and social services. This exclusion, despite formal requests to participate,
has further frustrated the AMQ. “It’s incredibly disappointing to be left out, especially when Bill
67 addresses areas where microbiologists play such an essential role,” Hamilton said. He
added that the legislation could benefit from the expertise of microbiologists, who are critical in
preventing infectious diseases, ensuring environmental safety, and maintaining food quality.

Despite these setbacks, the AMQ has received strong public and political support. A recent
CROP poll showed that eight in ten Quebecers support integrating microbiologists into a
professional order. “The public recognizes the value we bring to ensuring health and safety,”
said Julien Nelson, an AMQ representative. “We’ve also received unanimous backing from the
opposition parties in the National Assembly, which strengthens our position.”​

Looking forward, the AMQ remains committed to continuing its dialogue with the government,
particularly with Sonia LeBel, the minister responsible for professional affairs. “Our goal is to
protect the public, and that means ensuring that microbiologists are held to the highest
professional standards,” Nelson said. The AMQ is pushing for reforms that would bring
microbiologists under formal supervision, ensuring their work is properly regulated and that
public safety is a priority.

The AMQ also hopes that Bill 67 could be a step toward broader recognition of the profession.
“Microbiologists are key to preventing infectious diseases and ensuring food safety. We should
be part of the modernization effort in Quebec,” Hamilton stated.

Photo: Quebec microbiologists are warning of public health risks after their request for
professional regulation was suspended, leaving the profession without formal oversight, a
situation that Marc Hamilton, president of the Association des microbiologistes du Québec, calls
a significant threat to public safety. (TF) Photo courtesy of the AMQ