We are being paid too much, Doctors Protest Salary Increase

In Canada, more than 500 doctors and residents, as well as over 150 medical students, have signed a public letter protesting their own pay raises, CNBC reports.

"We, Quebec doctors who believe in a strong public system, oppose the recent salary increases negotiated by our medical federations," the letter says. .

The group say they are offended that they would receive raises when nurses and patients are struggling. .

"These increases are all the more shocking because our nurses, clerks and other professionals face very difficult working conditions, while our patients live with the lack of access to required services because of the drastic cuts in recent years and the centralization of power in the Ministry of Health," reads the letter.

"The only thing that seems to be immune to the cuts is our remuneration," the letter says. .

The 213 general practitioners,184 specialists, 147 resident medical doctors and 162 medical students want the money used for their raises to be returned to the system instead. .

A physician in Canada is paid $260,924 ($339,000 Canadian) for clinical services  per year on average. On average, a family physician is paid $211,717 ($275,000 Canadian) for clinical services and a surgical specialist is paid $354,915 ($461,000 Canadian).

This is total gross pay, however, and does not take into account overhead each doctor pays to operate.

In May 2016, one physician publicly broke down the cost of running his family practice, and though he brought in $231,033 ($300,000 Canadian), he was left with $136,906 ($177,876 Canadian) after subtracting his business expenses — but before taxes and employment benefits are taken out. 📸: Caiaimage/Robert Daly