Ontario needs more doctors.
About 116,310 trained health professionals already live here.
These are people educated in health abroad who now live in Ontario, counted in the 2021 Census. Many are not working in health because licensing takes years. Here is what the gap looks like locally.
Ontario by the numbers
116,310
About 7.2 for every 1,000 residents. Counts may have changed since 2021.
Source: StatCan Census 2021
~3,800
Estimated from how many people lack a family doctor. Treat as a rough guide (±15–20%).
Source: CMA/OurCare 2025
19.2 wks
National median: 28.6 weeks. #10 longest of 10 provinces. From a physician survey.
Source: Fraser Institute 2025
256
5 above the national average of 251. Provincial split is estimated.
Source: CIHI HW 2024
497
Provincial split is estimated from national data.
Source: CIHI HW 2024
How an internationally trained doctor gets licensed in Ontario
From the province's medical regulator. Last checked April 2026.
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
IMGs must complete CEHPEA assessment, pass MCCQE Part I and NAC, obtain a residency match or supervised practice arrangement, then apply for Independent Practice. CPSO does NOT use PhysiciansApply.ca — applications submitted directly via CPSO Portal.
The main bottleneck: Supervision arrangement or residency match required before independent licence.
Regulator's registration page (opens in a new tab)- Application fee
- $1,035 CAD
- Yearly licence fee
- $1,725 CAD
- Canadian residency needed
- Required for independent practice; supervised practice certificate available in some circumstances.
Regulator fees only. National exams, assessments and immigration fees are extra; see the full cost breakdown.
Live in Ontario? 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