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.

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

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 centralisation of power in the Ministry of Health," reads the letter, which was published February 25.

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