MONTREAL—A West Island doctor has pleaded guilty in front a disciplinary board of the Quebec College of Physicians.

Dr. Gilles Bourdon is now facing a suspension and fines for refusing to respect a cancer patient's choice about her treatment. Bourdon performed hundreds of incomplete colonoscopies at the Lakeshore General Hospital, triggering a recall.

Bourdon has been disciplined before and now he's being disciplined again.

“He's known by the College des medecins, it's not his first offence. So that's why it's something we have to take into consideration,” said prosecutor Joann Zaor.

Bourdon’s patient chose not to undergo the radiotherapy or chemo treatments he recommended. She was in severe pain and wanted surgery immediately.

The prosecutor for the disciplinary board argued bourdon "systematically refused" to respect the patient's decision and ignored her repeated requests.

“It was not correct on his part to act like that. After four times, he had to do something. If not personally, he had to refer this patient to another surgeon,” said Zaor.

The patient ended up finding another surgeon on her own.

“The gravity of the fault is very severe. We have to be very aware of the protection of the public in that case, so that's why we ask for something very important,” Zaor continued.

Bourdon was temporarily suspended by the college in 2009 for not doing proper follow-ups with nearly 500 patients. Last fall, he made headlines again after the Lakeshore recalled nearly 700 colonoscopy exams that showed irregularities.

Bourdon has been practicing at his own clinic in Pointe-Claire since he was forced out of the Lakeshore just over a year ago. He can perform minor procedures there, but he's no longer allowed to undertake any major surgeries in hospitals, after coming to an agreement with the College of Physicians.

In these latest proceedings, the prosecutor repeatedly called bourdon "negligent" and "nonchalant." She's calling for a 12-month suspension and fines totaling $8,000.

Bourdon’s lawyer calls that excessive—arguing that a three to four month suspension and $1,600 fine would be enough. Bourdon testified he's already taken an emotional and financial hit, and lost nearly half of his patients.