The shortage of family doctors in Canada and the proliferation of hallway medicine is nothing short of a national crisis which requires a crisis level response from governments.
One tactic governments could consider to support hiring more doctors is to eliminate the red tape that often impedes qualified healthcare professionals from practicing in Canada, whether those be interprovincial barriers impeding the mobility of medical professionals or international medical graduates (IMGs) who received their degrees abroad and require additional credentials.
As an organization dedicated to advocating for the needs of seniors, CARP supports policies and initiatives that contribute to a better healthcare system for all Canadians. In recent provincial elections in BC, Ontario and Nova Scotia, CARP highlighted the challenges seniors face with wait times and the need for policies that prioritize timely and accessible care for older adults.
Balancing the need for more doctors while maintaining high standards in our health systems should not be an impossible challenge in addressing Canada’s physician shortage.
As patient needs shift and rural communities struggle with access, the ability for doctors to move and practice across provincial borders has become a pressing issue. Some headway is being made, but not enough to have a significant impact.
Two years ago, the Atlantic provinces – Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador – launched the Atlantic Physician Registry, a first-of-its-kind multi-jurisdictional licensing system in Canada, giving registrants the right to practice in all four provinces without additional licensing or administrative hurdles.
Since its introduction, the Registry has increased the number of physicians holding licenses in multiple Atlantic provinces, with over 900 extra licenses issued to 385 opted-in physicians during initial data collection. However, the participation rate remains modest (about 5.3% of eligible physicians).
Ontario allows doctors licensed in other provinces and territories (excluding Nunavut) to apply for a certificate of registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Physicians must pay Ontario’s licensing fees, which can involve significant paperwork and administrative steps. The process is not as seamless as the Atlantic Registry and uptake remains relatively limited.
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has long advocated for a pan-Canadian licensure system, which would allow doctors in good standing to practice anywhere in Canada without needing to obtain multiple licenses or pay additional fees. This would be a significant step toward addressing physician shortages, supporting virtual care and enabling rapid deployment during health crises.
Another untapped resource are international medical graduates currently living in Canada.
IMGs come in two main categories: Canadians who studied medicine abroad and immigrant physicians. Both groups face similar challenges in entering the Canadian medical system.
Recent estimates suggest there are 13,000 IMGs in Canada who are unable to practice, including limited access to residency positions. In 2022, only 331 IMGs were matched with residency positions.
Increasing the number of residency spots and implementing practice-ready assessments will streamline the process of verifying credentials, assessing competencies, and ensuring compatibility with Canadian medical practices and standards.
Canada’s healthcare system is facing increasing pressures, and seniors are disproportionately impacted by longer wait times and limited access to care. That’s why CARP will continue to advocate for better access to healthcare professionals and the reallocation of spending to front line medical services and away from back end bureaucracy, where a growing percentage of healthcare dollars are flowing.
Posted May 2025
