The Ontario government is investing $30 million to expand the province’s primary care workforce, adding nearly 1,800 health-care workers as part of its $2.1 billion Primary Care Action Plan. This initiative aims to connect every Ontarian to primary care by 2029, by upskilling over 1,400 registered nurses, creating 170 nurse practitioner education seats, and adding up to 150 physician assistant education seats. The program focuses on equipping health professionals to manage chronic diseases, conduct cancer screenings, provide maternal and child care, and administer immunizations, ensuring nurses are prepared to deliver care directly in primary care settings.
The new nurse upskilling program, set to launch this year in partnership with Conestoga College, Lakehead University, Trent University, and Western University, will provide a 12-week curriculum and certification for nurses entering primary care. This approach allows family doctors and nurse practitioners to focus on patients with more complex needs. Additionally, Ontario is investing $8.5 million to expand nurse practitioner education across multiple universities, enabling faster access to care for families province-wide. Starting in 2026-27, $16 million will support 150 new physician assistant education seats, enhancing team-based care and reducing wait times.
Ontario’s ongoing commitment to the health-care workforce has already resulted in over 275,000 new patients being attached to primary care providers, alongside significant expansions in medical education, including 340 new undergraduate seats and 551 postgraduate positions by 2028-29. Since 2018, the province has added over 100,000 nurses and nearly 20,000 physicians, including a notable increase in family doctors. Efforts also include easing the transition for U.S.-licensed nurses and board-certified physicians to practice in Ontario.
The province’s investment underscores the importance of building a highly skilled, resilient primary care workforce to improve accessibility and quality of care across Ontario. Stakeholders, including university leaders, professional associations, and healthcare organizations, emphasized that the expansion of nurse practitioner and physician assistant programs, alongside nurse upskilling initiatives, is critical for strengthening Ontario’s health system and ensuring timely, comprehensive care close to home.
