Newfoundland and Labrador needs more doctors.
About 1,950 trained health professionals already live here.
These are people educated in health abroad who now live in Newfoundland and Labrador, counted in the 2021 Census. Many are not working in health because licensing takes years. Here is what the gap looks like locally.
Newfoundland and Labrador by the numbers
550,000
Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Source: StatCan Pop Est. Q2 2026
1,950
About 3.5 for every 1,000 residents. Counts may have changed since 2021.
Source: StatCan Census 2021
~175
Estimated from how many people lack a family doctor. Treat as a rough guide (±15–20%).
Source: CMA/OurCare 2025
43.5 wks
National median: 28.6 weeks. #4 longest of 10 provinces. From a physician survey.
Source: Fraser Institute 2025
245
6 below the national average of 251. Provincial split is estimated.
Source: CIHI HW 2024
468
Provincial split is estimated from national data.
Source: CIHI HW 2024
How an internationally trained doctor gets licensed in Newfoundland and Labrador
From the province's medical regulator. Last checked April 2026.
College of Physicians and Surgeons of NL (CPSNL)
Standard MCC pathway (MCCQE I, NAC). CPSNL publishes annual fee schedule. Medical registration $300. Annual licence $2,300. Acute shortages in some regions facilitate faster provisional placement.
The main bottleneck: Supervision arrangement required. Rural shortages may facilitate faster placement.
Regulator's registration page (opens in a new tab)- Application fee
- $300 CAD (medical registration fee)
- Yearly licence fee
- $2,300 CAD
- Canadian residency needed
- Residency or supervised practice required.
Regulator fees only. National exams, assessments and immigration fees are extra; see the full cost breakdown.
Live in Newfoundland and Labrador? Two things you can do today
Sign the petition, then tell your MP it matters to you.
71% of the goal · 4,365 more names needed · count as of November 1, 2026