Ontario Connects More Than 511,000 Residents to Primary Care Under $3.4 Billion Health Plan

TORONTO,  Ontario has connected more than 511,000 additional residents to family doctors or primary care teams under its $3.4 billion Primary Care Action Plan, marking progress toward the provincial government’s commitment to provide every resident with access to primary care by 2029.

The province also reports that more than 470,000 people have been removed from the Health Care Connect waitlist since January 2025, bringing waiting times to their lowest levels in more than a decade.

The results represent a significant milestone in Ontario’s multiyear strategy to expand publicly funded primary care services, strengthen health-care staffing and improve access to community-based medical services.

Ontario’s $3.4 Billion Primary Care Action Plan Exceeds Initial Targets

Launched in January 2025, the Primary Care Action Plan was designed to connect approximately two million additional Ontarians with family doctors or primary care teams.

According to the Ministry of Health, nearly 90 per cent of Ontario residents are currently connected to a primary care provider, although the government continues working to address remaining gaps.

The reported figure of 511,000 additional patients reflects connections recorded through May 31, 2026, meaning subsequent enrolments are not included in that total.

“Our government’s plan to protect Ontario’s health-care system is delivering real results as Ontario continues to lead the country in access to primary care,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made since launching our Primary Care Action Plan less than two years ago. We’re ahead of schedule and firmly on track to connect everyone in the province to primary care by 2029.”

Provincial Investments Support Expansion of Primary Care Teams

Ontario’s primary care expansion has involved several funding commitments intended to increase capacity across the health-care system.

In February 2024, the government announced more than $110 million for primary care team expansion, an initiative it says connected over 610,000 people to care.

The province subsequently committed $235 million toward its 2025–26 expansion initiative, targeting another 300,000 patients.

A further $250 million allocation announced in September 2025 supported 124 successful proposals representing more than 190 new or expanded primary care teams, with a target of connecting 500,000 additional residents.

Ontario’s 2026 budget included another $325 million annually, increasing the Primary Care Action Plan’s four-year funding commitment to $3.4 billion.

In September 2026, the government launched another $250 million funding initiative aimed at establishing or expanding approximately 78 primary care teams, with the goal of connecting 600,000 more people.

Health-Care Workforce Expansion Central to Ontario’s Strategy

Alongside investments in primary care delivery, Ontario is expanding medical education and recruitment initiatives to address long-term staffing requirements.

The government plans to add 340 undergraduate medical school seats and 551 postgraduate training positions by the 2028–29 academic year. The expansion is projected to increase the annual number of family medicine graduates by 67 per cent.

Ontario also reports adding more than 20,000 physicians to its health-care workforce since 2018, including an increase of more than 14 per cent in family doctors.

Recruitment efforts have extended internationally, with provincial figures indicating that more than 2,300 nurses and 570 physicians from the United States chose to practise in Ontario in 2025.

North Toronto Partnerships Demonstrate Local Progress

Community partnerships are also contributing to the expansion of primary care services.

In North Toronto, Vibrant Community Health, Sunnybrook and several community primary care providers have worked together to improve patient enrolment.

According to provincial figures, more than 10,000 patients were connected to primary care through a local partnership in July, including 7,231 residents supported through Vibrant Community Health and its partners.

“Primary care is the first place people turn to when they need support, whether welcoming a new baby, managing a chronic condition, or caring for an aging parent. Having a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or primary care team means having a trusted partner who knows your health history and can provide personalized care throughout every stage of life,” said Dr. Jane Philpott, Chair of the Primary Care Action Team. “While there is more work ahead, Ontario is making meaningful progress to connect every person to the care they need.”

Ontario Targets Universal Primary Care Access by 2029

Despite the reported improvements, Ontario must connect the remaining residents without regular primary care to achieve its 2029 objective.

The government is encouraging people without a family doctor or primary care provider to register through Health Care Connect.

With additional primary care teams planned and medical training capacity expanding, the province says it remains ahead of its initial implementation schedule. Achieving universal access, however, will depend on continued workforce growth, successful implementation of funded projects and the ability to connect patients in underserved communities.