Ontario needs more doctors, not more barriers

QUEEN’S PARK – In light of the Ministry of Health regulations changes, NDP Shadow Minister for Health, France Gélinas (Nickel Belt) and NDP Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Addiction, and Primary Care Dr. Robin Lennox (Hamilton Centre) released this statement:

“Ontarians don’t care where their doctor went to high school. They care whether their doctors are skilled, compassionate, and dedicated to high-quality patient care. This new direction from the Ministry of Health will discourage internationally trained doctors who are offering their much-needed service to our communities,” said Lennox

“This policy change will have devastating consequences for Northern and rural communities that have built relationships with international medical graduates (IMG); doctors who often come to Northern Ontario and spend their entire careers caring for families in the North.” said Gélinas. “Many Northern and rural communities rely on IMGs to fill critical gaps in care, and this new policy change will only deepen Ontario’s family doctor’s shortage.”

“We need to focus on making policy changes that will have real impact: growing our healthcare workforce and ensuring that every person in Ontario has access to a family physician or nurse practitioner for primary care.” concludes Lennox. “The Minister of Health’s decision is arbitrary and harmful, creating more barriers for internationally trained doctors when we should be welcoming skilled physicians into our workforce .”