Ontario Increasing Access to Primary Care Across the Province

April 1, 2026

The government is taking the next step in our plan to protect the health-care system and connect everyone in the province to a family doctor or primary care provider by 2029. As part of our plan, we signed a historic 2024–28 Physician Services Agreement that will increase compensation, add incentives for family doctors to take on new patients, expand after-hours care and help recruit and retain more family doctors to Ontario.

Effective today, under the new agreement, families across Ontario will see more convenient access to primary care, including

• Changes that help retain current physicians,  including improved compensation, an increased number of entry positions for new doctors and incentives that support physicians to take on new patients.
• More convenient appointment options, including evenings and weekends, by enhancing compensation for doctors for offering after‑hours care.
• Stronger support for people with complex health needs, as doctors will receive bonuses for enrolling patients, including those with serious or complex health conditions, helping ensure those who need care the most are not left behind.
• Fewer visits to emergency departments, as physicians are supported to perform more minor procedures directly in their offices.
• More doctors in rural and northern communities, as new and modified programs will help recruit and retain doctors in areas that need them most.

News Releases:

En: Primary Care

Fr: Soins de première ligne