OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 24, 2025 – Fresh information released by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) indicates that Canadian medical professionals are expressing serious concern regarding governmental choices that pose a risk to the healthcare system. The results highlight extensive apprehension among doctors regarding the effects on patient services, the stability of the medical workforce, and the morale of practitioners.
The medical community has focused its attention on recent government measures, such as and , which impede physicians’ capacity to provide patient care. Given that 84% of doctors are closely monitoring these developments, almost half (43%) report feeling neither trusted nor respected by governments, an attitude that jeopardizes the long-term viability of the medical profession.
Furthermore, medical professionals are convinced that Canadians’ access to healthcare is imperiled; 80% foresee negative impacts on the recruitment and retention of physicians, and 66% expect a deterioration in the standard of patient care.
These findings originate from Physician Pulse, a recently launched collaborative project by the CMA and Abacus Data that surveys medical practitioners nationwide.
Physicians are already observing significant repercussions for their patients. The healthcare system exhibits stress from governmental intervention and insufficient progress on established remedies. Numerous doctors assert that the caliber of Canadian healthcare will deteriorate further unless immediate steps are taken to address challenges in physician recruitment, retention, and care standards.
In Quebec and Alberta, regions where these impacts are most evident, doctors caution that the repercussions will be considerably graver, intensifying strain on healthcare systems that are already delicate. Alarmingly, 76% of doctors in Alberta and 80% in Quebec state they do not perceive themselves as trusted or respected by their respective governments.
“The CMA urges governments to engage in cooperative efforts with healthcare professionals to rebuild confidence, enhance the provision of care, and guarantee that Canadians can access excellent healthcare services,” stated Dr. Margot Burnell, President of the CMA.
Further details regarding these Physician Pulse findings on government involvement in healthcare are available on the Abacus Data website.
About the CMA
The Canadian Medical Association spearheads a nationwide movement alongside physicians who envision a healthier future. Our objective is to achieve a resilient, reachable health system where patients collaborate, a medical culture that promotes fairness, variety, and welfare, and nurturing communities where good health is attainable for all. We foster transformation through campaigning, charitable contributions, and the dissemination of knowledge – adhering to principles of teamwork and acceptance.
About the Survey
The conclusions are drawn from an online poll of 447 medical doctors throughout Canada, executed via a combined sampling approach encompassing an online panel and direct engagement by the CMA. The CMA deliberately focused on its physician members within Alberta and Quebec, enabling a more detailed examination of these particular provinces. Data weighting was applied according to the region of practice, utilizing statistics issued by CIHI in 2024.
About Physician Pulse
Physician Pulse represents a joint venture between the CMA and Abacus Data, designed to gather and provide prompt, dependable perspectives from doctors nationwide. This series of quick-response surveys offers up-to-the-minute understanding and medical practitioner viewpoints on developing healthcare challenges. The survey was active between November 11th and 17th, 2025.
SOURCE Canadian Medical Association