Ontario Expands Access to Primary Care with New Physician Agreement
Ontario Primary Care Access Expansion Aims to Connect Every Resident to a Family Doctor by 2029
Effective April 1, 2026, the agreement introduces a range of measures designed to attract and retain family doctors, expand patient access and improve the delivery of care across Ontario.
New Measures to Improve Access to Care
According to the Ministry of Health, the agreement will enhance access to primary care through several key changes:
- Increased compensation and incentives to retain physicians and encourage them to take on new patients
- Expanded after-hours care, including evenings and weekends
- Additional support for patients with complex health needs, with bonuses for doctors who enroll higher-needs patients
- More in-office procedures, reducing reliance on hospital emergency departments
- Targeted recruitment efforts to bring more doctors to rural and northern communities
Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones said the agreement represents a significant step forward.
“Ontario continues to lead the country with the highest rate of attachment to primary care,” Jones said. “With this historic agreement coming into effect today, Ontario will be able to attract and retain more physicians and make primary care more connected, convenient and sustainable.”
Progress Toward Universal Primary Care Access
The province says the agreement builds on its broader $3.4 billion Primary Care Action Plan, which aims to connect all Ontarians to a primary care provider by 2029.
Since the launch of the plan, more than 330,000 people have been connected to ongoing primary care — surpassing the province’s 2025–26 target of 300,000.
Ontario officials say these gains are supported by continued growth in the health-care workforce, including:
- 100,000 new nurses added
- Nearly 20,000 additional physicians
- More than 14 per cent increase in family doctors
Strengthening Ontario’s Health-Care System
The Physician Services Agreement, negotiated with the Ontario Medical Association, represents a significant financial commitment, with the province currently spending over $20 billion annually on physician services, including primary care and specialist treatment.
The agreement also includes updates to care delivery models, such as FHO+, which aims to modernize the Family Health Organization framework and improve patient access.
Officials say the initiative is part of Ontario’s broader strategy under Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, which focuses on building a more accessible, efficient and patient-centered health-care system.
Addressing Gaps in Rural and Underserved Areas
A key component of the agreement is the focus on improving access in rural and northern communities, where residents often face challenges in finding a family doctor.
New and enhanced recruitment programs are expected to help bring more physicians to these areas, ensuring more equitable access to care across the province.
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