Half of Canadians struggle to access family doctor as dissatisfaction rises
A decade-long decline in family physician access has accelerated, with 50% of Canadians now reporting difficulty finding or seeing a doctor, up from 40% in 2015, forcing many to rely on walk-in clinics and emergency departments.
Canada's universal healthcare system has faced a worsening primary care crisis over the past ten years, according to fresh analysis from the Angus Reid Institute released in 2026. From 2015 to 2025, the percentage of Canadians who have difficult or no access to a family doctor has increased by 25 per cent (40% of Canadians in 2015, 50% in 2025).
Those who say it's easy for them to get an appointment within a day or two has declined by nine points from 24 per cent in 2015 to 15 per cent currently. The shortage is not simply a matter of physician numbers; the Canadian Medical Association points to fewer general family doctors, and more specialists, and Canada's aging population as two key reasons why there Canadians are struggling to find family doctors.
Provinces React With New Models
Several provinces have introduced reforms. Saskatchewan's March 2026 Patients First Health Care Plan added 26 new nurse practitioner training seats and introduced financial incentives of $78,000 over two years for registered nurses to become nurse practitioners. British Columbia introduced changes to how family physicians are compensated, shifting toward models that reward longitudinal care.
At the federal level, the federal government announced a new Express Entry immigration category targeting medical professionals, promising an expedited work permit in approximately 14 days so physicians can begin practicing while their permanent residency is finalized.
For newcomers and temporary residents: Finding a family doctor will be difficult in every province. Most Canadian-bound newcomers should expect 6–24 months of waiting to be rostered with a permanent physician. In the interim, walk-in clinics, virtual care, and nurse practitioner clinics are your fastest access points. Upon arrival, apply for your provincial health card immediately and ask local settlement agencies about physician registries in your region.
Sources
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