Ontario Expands Grant Program to Train More Family Doctors

The Ontario government has announced an expansion of the Learn and Stay Grant program, aimed at increasing the number of family doctors trained in the province. Starting in 2026, the government plans to allocate approximately $88 million over three years to support 1,360 undergraduate students who commit to practicing family medicine in Ontario after graduation. This funding will cover tuition and other educational costs in exchange for a service commitment in the province.

The initiative includes legislative changes that, if passed, will require Ontario medical schools to reserve at least 95% of undergraduate seats for Ontario residents. The remaining 5% will be available to students from other parts of Canada. Additionally, the government is reviewing the visa trainee program to prioritize training capacity for Ontario students.

Since its inception in 2023, the Learn and Stay Grant has supported nearly 7,500 students in various medical-related programs. The expansion to include family medicine aims to address the shortage of family doctors in Ontario, with an estimated 1.36 million more people expected to gain access to primary care as a result of this program.

The government is also creating more opportunities for Ontarians who began their medical education abroad to complete their postgraduate training within the province. This is part of a broader effort to ensure that medical graduates are more likely to practice in Ontario, thereby strengthening the local healthcare system.