Ontario recently unveiled a policy reserving medical school seats for residents. Premier Doug Ford announced the decision as a part of Ontario's response to an urgent shortage of family doctors, with the province currently lacking around 2,500 physicians. By prioritizing Ontario students, the administration hopes more locally trained doctors will remain in the province, providing essential healthcare services in underserved communities.

Reserving seats for Ontarians and Canadians

On October 25, Premier Doug Ford announced that the government will prioritize med school seats for Ontario students:

"Starting in the fall 2026, all Ontario medical schools will be required to allocate at least 95% of all undergraduate seats to residents of Ontario with other 5% reserved for students from the rest of Canada."

He also claimed that 18% of international students in Ontario were taking the place of Canadians and didn't even stay in Canada after their studies. So, "now it'll be 100% Canada, 95% Ontario".

With the goal of supporting domestic students, medical schools will also create more opportunities for students who started their education journey abroad but came back to Canada for postgraduate training. There will also be CAD$88 million investment over the next 3 years in Ontario's Learn and Stay Grant that covers tuition and direct educational costs for students who commit to practicing family medicine in Ontario after graduating, starting in 2026 as well.

Ontario's doctor shortage crisis

Ontario is grappling with a severe shortage of family doctors, leaving over 2.3 million residents without a primary care provider. Experts predict this shortage could impact 4.4 million Ontarians – or a quarter of the province's population – by 2026 if immediate action isn't taken.

Ontario needs over 2,500 physicians, particularly in northern and rural areas, where communities face additional barriers in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals. Currently, there are 2.8 physicians for every 1,000 people.

Concerns about diversity and workforce needs

The policy has raised concerns among students, medical professionals, and education advocates. International students make up just 0.26% of Ontario's medical program enrollment, roughly 10 students annually, but they add essential diversity and global perspectives to classrooms. This diversity prepares all students to handle a wide range of patient needs, especially in Canada's multicultural society.

Ontario's policy may have unintended consequences for the healthcare system since international students often come with unique experiences and skills that enhance medical training.

By limiting international enrollment, Ontario could face challenges recruiting and retaining enough physicians to meet growing healthcare needs.

What's next?

Ontario's new policy signals a shift in its approach to medical education, focusing on developing a local healthcare workforce but potentially limiting diversity in its medical schools. Ontario may want to consider additional measures to attract and retain both local and international medical talent.

This could include streamlined licensing for internationally trained doctors who want to practice in Ontario, ensuring a balanced approach to meet future healthcare demands. For students, especially those with international aspirations, staying informed on these policy changes will be crucial, as they could influence educational and career paths within Canada.