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OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 24, 2025 – As Canadian governments aim to reduce trade barriers within the country, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is encouraging decision-makers to leverage this opportunity to improve access to healthcare for Canadians when they need it most.
We support the move to capitalize on this moment and improve the ease of mobility for Canadian professionals seeking work in different regions. This is especially crucial for the nation’s physicians.
With numerous Canadians facing difficulties in obtaining necessary medical care, we must utilize every resource available to strengthen our healthcare system. Currently, doctors are required to possess separate licenses for each province or territory where they intend to practice. In most cases, practicing in a different province or territory involves a complex application process and significant expenses. This disjointed system contrasts with the Canadian Free Trade Agreement’s intention to promote worker mobility – and patients ultimately suffer as a result.
While considerable progress has been made in accelerating physician mobility across Canada, it is crucial to eliminate the remaining obstacles. The CMA has consistently urged governments to implement as a key measure to reinforce our struggling healthcare system.
Provincial and territorial regulations also present challenges for international medical graduates seeking licensure to practice medicine. Enhancing specific processes to ensure qualified doctors can safely practice in Canada requires investment in provincial regulatory colleges. However, this investment will pay off by increasing the number of doctors practicing in Canada, which benefits all Canadians. Addressing this pressing issue is essential for modernizing physician licensing models in Canada.
Greater doctor mobility will lead to better patient outcomes and support hospitals in meeting clinical demands and staffing requirements, especially at a time when many are severely understaffed.
Dr. Joss Reimer
President, CMA
About the CMA
The Canadian Medical Association spearheads a national movement involving physicians who envision a brighter future for healthcare. Our goal is a sustainable, accessible healthcare system where patients are active participants, a medical culture that prioritizes equity, diversity, and well-being, and supportive communities where everyone has the chance to achieve optimal health. We champion change through advocacy, philanthropy, and knowledge dissemination – guided by the principles of collaboration and inclusion.
SOURCE Canadian Medical Association (CMA)