Ontario’s doctors have secured a new four-year agreement with the provincial government that health leaders say will help recruit and retain physicians, particularly family doctors, at a time when millions of residents are struggling to find primary care.
The deal includes pay increases, new compensation for administrative work, and stronger incentives for doctors who take on complex patients.
The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) says these changes will make family medicine more appealing to young physicians, helping to address the shortage that has left an estimated 2.5 million Ontarians without a family doctor.
Under the agreement, doctors will receive nearly a 10 per cent raise in the first year, followed by an additional 7.3 per cent over the next three years.
There are also top-ups for certain specialties, including children’s hospitals.
The new Family Health Organization model is especially significant, as it allows physicians to be paid for the time they spend on paperwork and patient administration — tasks that often go uncompensated.
The Ministry of Health says the deal also invests in stabilizing rural emergency departments and improving access in underserved communities.
Officials say the agreement reflects Ontario’s commitment to strengthening primary care while addressing the growing demand for family physicians.