York University to Construct New Medical School Emphasizing Primary Care Physicians

The Ontario government has allocated an initial investment of $9 million in the 2024 budget, “Building a Better Ontario,” to initiate the design and planning phase for York University’s forthcoming medical school in Vaughan. This new medical institution will pioneer a unique focus on training primary care physicians, marking a significant step towards fulfilling Ontario’s pledge to ensure accessible primary care for all residents.

Premier Doug Ford emphasized the significance of this endeavor, stating, “As the first medical school in Canada focused primarily on training family doctors, this new school will make an enormous impact in the lives of people in York Region and across Ontario.” Scheduled to commence operations in September 2028, the school will initially offer up to 80 undergraduate seats and up to 102 postgraduate seats, eventually scaling up to accommodate up to 240 undergraduate seats and 293 postgraduate seats annually.

The distinctive training model of the York University medical school will prioritize family medicine, allocating approximately 70 percent of its postgraduate training seats to primary care. This strategic emphasis aligns with the government’s broader initiatives to bolster the healthcare workforce, expand interprofessional primary care teams, and facilitate the integration of internationally trained doctors into the Ontario healthcare system. Ministry of Health projections suggest that these efforts will substantially enhance primary care accessibility, potentially connecting up to 98 percent of Ontarians to primary care services in the coming years.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, affirmed the government’s commitment to healthcare workforce expansion, labeling the investment in York University’s medical school as a historic milestone. This initiative forms part of Ontario’s comprehensive strategy to fortify its healthcare system, particularly in burgeoning and underserved communities. The expansion encompasses all existing medical schools across Ontario, along with the forthcoming medical school at Toronto Metropolitan University, slated to commence operations in 2025.

Minister of Colleges and Universities, Jill Dunlop, underscored the broader benefits of investing in medical education, emphasizing its role in providing quality postsecondary education and ensuring healthcare access for growing communities. The government’s holistic approach to healthcare, outlined in the “Building a Better Ontario” budget, prioritizes people-centric care and aims to enhance accessibility and convenience in healthcare delivery.

The 2024 budget continues to advance the province’s “Your Health” plan, reinforcing Ontario’s commitment to building a resilient healthcare system that prioritizes the well-being of its residents. Through initiatives like the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, the government seeks to support healthcare professionals while fostering retention and workforce sustainability in key regions across the province.

The Ontario government has allocated an initial investment of $9 million in the 2024 budget, “Building a Better Ontario,” to initiate the design and planning phase for York University’s forthcoming medical school in Vaughan. This new medical institution will pioneer a unique focus on training primary care physicians, marking a significant step towards fulfilling Ontario’s pledge to ensure accessible primary care for all residents.

Premier Doug Ford emphasized the significance of this endeavor, stating, “As the first medical school in Canada focused primarily on training family doctors, this new school will make an enormous impact in the lives of people in York Region and across Ontario.” Scheduled to commence operations in September 2028, the school will initially offer up to 80 undergraduate seats and up to 102 postgraduate seats, eventually scaling up to accommodate up to 240 undergraduate seats and 293 postgraduate seats annually.

The distinctive training model of the York University medical school will prioritize family medicine, allocating approximately 70 percent of its postgraduate training seats to primary care. This strategic emphasis aligns with the government’s broader initiatives to bolster the healthcare workforce, expand interprofessional primary care teams, and facilitate the integration of internationally trained doctors into the Ontario healthcare system. Ministry of Health projections suggest that these efforts will substantially enhance primary care accessibility, potentially connecting up to 98 percent of Ontarians to primary care services in the coming years.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, affirmed the government’s commitment to healthcare workforce expansion, labeling the investment in York University’s medical school as a historic milestone. This initiative forms part of Ontario’s comprehensive strategy to fortify its healthcare system, particularly in burgeoning and underserved communities. The expansion encompasses all existing medical schools across Ontario, along with the forthcoming medical school at Toronto Metropolitan University, slated to commence operations in 2025.

Minister of Colleges and Universities, Jill Dunlop, underscored the broader benefits of investing in medical education, emphasizing its role in providing quality postsecondary education and ensuring healthcare access for growing communities. The government’s holistic approach to healthcare, outlined in the “Building a Better Ontario” budget, prioritizes people-centric care and aims to enhance accessibility and convenience in healthcare delivery.

The 2024 budget continues to advance the province’s “Your Health” plan, reinforcing Ontario’s commitment to building a resilient healthcare system that prioritizes the well-being of its residents. Through initiatives like the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant, the government seeks to support healthcare professionals while fostering retention and workforce sustainability in key regions across the province.