BACKGROUND
Ontario’s healthcare system is stretched to its breaking point. Right now, over 2.5 million Ontarians don’t have access to a family doctor—a number that is expected to rise unless immediate action is taken. Without access to primary care, people are forced to rely on emergency rooms for routine medical concerns, driving up ER wait times and delaying urgent care for those who need it most.
At the same time, Ontario is losing family doctors. Many are retiring, burned out, or leaving the profession due to an outdated system that doesn’t support them. If we don’t act now, this crisis will only get worse.
LIBERAL PLAN
The Ontario Liberal Party is committed to ensuring every Ontarian has access to a family doctor—no matter where they live. Our plan will:
1. Train More Family Doctors
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Increase the number of family medicine residency spots by 400 to meet growing demand.
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Expand partnerships with universities to fast-track medical school and residency programs for family physicians.
2. Expand Team-Based Primary Care
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Invest in Family Health Teams, allowing family doctors to work alongside nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and mental health specialists to provide more comprehensive care.
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Ensure more Ontarians are enrolled in these team-based models, reducing strain on individual doctors.
3. Cut Red Tape for Internationally Trained Doctors
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Simplify and speed up credential recognition so skilled doctors trained abroad can work in Ontario.
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Provide pathway programs and mentorships to help new doctors integrate into the system faster.
4. Retain More Doctors by Fixing the System
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Reduce administrative burdens on family doctors so they can spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork.
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Offer better incentives for doctors to work in rural and underserved areas, ensuring care is available across the province.
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Improve working conditions and support programs to prevent burnout and keep doctors in Ontario’s healthcare system.
IMPACT: Shorter Waits, Better Care, A Healthier Ontario
By investing in primary care, the Ontario Liberal Party’s plan will:
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Reduce ER wait times—fewer people will rely on emergency rooms for non-urgent issues, meaning faster care for real emergencies.
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Improve health outcomes—access to a family doctor means earlier diagnoses, better management of chronic conditions, and less strain on hospitals.
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Ensure every Ontarian has access to care—no one should be left without a doctor simply because of where they live.
The Ontario Liberal Party is ready to fix healthcare by putting patients first and ensuring that every Ontarian has a family doctor. We’re not just talking about change—we have a plan to deliver it.
Fixing Healthcare:
A Family Doctor for Every Ontarian.
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