While assisting Ontario students to become doctors in the province, regardless of whether they studied abroad or at home, the government of Ontario is further increasing the number of spots available in medical schools to levels never before seen. The government will invest an additional $33 million over a three-year period beginning in 2023 to add 100 undergraduate medical school seats and 154 postgraduate medical training seats beginning in 2024, both of which are now prioritized for residents of Ontario.
Premier Doug Ford stated, “Too many Ontario students are forced to go abroad for medical school because they can’t find residency spots here in their home province.” On the other hand, international students learn here and then leave. As a result, we are increasing the number of undergraduate and graduate medical school spots and prioritizing Ontario students who meet the requirements. Right here in Ontario, we’re training the next generation of Ontario doctors to stay here and care for Ontario communities.
The expansion of 160 undergraduate and 295 postgraduate medical training seats announced last year, the largest expansion of Ontario’s medical school system in over a decade, serves as the foundation for the new investment made in Budget 2023.
Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop stated, “Medical seat expansion in the province’s postsecondary sector is a critical component of our plan to connect people to care close to home.” It will be simpler for the homegrown doctors of tomorrow to receive training and provide world-class health care right in their own communities if postsecondary education opportunities are expanded with Ontarians in mind.
The government’s Your Health plan, which includes efforts to hire more health care workers, includes this expansion.
Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, stated, “Increasing the number of doctors and other health care workers will make it easier for Ontarians to connect to world-class health care right in their own communities.” We will keep on carrying out our striking intend to develop our wellbeing labor force so Ontarians can keep on getting care nearer to home into the indefinite future.”
Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy stated, “Our government is connecting people to the care they need, where and when they need it” by investing in Ontario’s health workforce. Part of our strategy to build a strong Ontario that supports people today while laying a solid foundation for the future is to train more doctors here in Ontario.
Building a Strong Ontario, the Ontario government’s budget for 2023, is accelerating key infrastructure projects, attracting investments and jobs, and driving economic growth. In addition, the government’s plan improves Ontario families’ health and public services, keeps costs low for those most in need, and trains skilled workers to fill in-demand positions.
