2026-05-18 from ctvnews.ca
Canada is facing a worsening family doctor shortage, with an estimated 5.7 to 6.5 million Canadians lacking access to a regular primary care provider, according to the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) – citing issues like population growth, aging demographics, physician burnout, administrative burden and declining interest in comprehensive family medicine.
In Ontario alone, the Ontario Medical Association reported in late 2025 that more than 2.5 million Ontarians do not have a family doctor, while 52 per cent of Ontario family physicians are considering retirement or planning to retire within the next five years, raising concerns about an even deeper access crisis ahead.
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