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Province continues commitment to support Ontario medical students

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The Ontario government will continue to offer medical students funding for their schooling in exchange for a promise to practice in Ontario.

The province is investing $220 million into its Learn and Stay program for another year.

“Under this new stream, over 2,000 future doctors or four cohorts of students in a family medicine residency program, can have their medical undergrad education, including tuition, books and more, retroactively covered by our government,” says Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.

“In return, recipients will practice comprehensive family medicine for at least five years anywhere in Ontario. That means more doctors who are trained in Ontario will stay in Ontario.”

Quinn adds that the expansion of the program is a critical part of the government’s plan to ensure everyone in the province has direct access to a primary care provider.

“We know that becoming a doctor represents years of hard work, sacrifice and financial commitment,” says Quinn.

“By breaking down barriers to this rewarding profession, we’re attracting the best and brightest to our healthcare networks, allowing our medical students to focus on their education and bringing more highly-skilled, dedicated care providers to communities across the province.”

The Dean of NOSM University is welcoming the announcement.

Dr. Michael Green says removing the financial burden is an important investment for the next generation of family physicians and the communities they will serve.

“At NOSM University, we know that where physicians learn and train has a powerful influence on where they ultimately practise,” states Green in a release.

“As the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant moves forward, it will provide meaningful support for our learners while helping strengthen the family physician workforce in Northern Ontario by encouraging new graduates to establish comprehensive family medicine practices.

The Ontario Medical Association also supports the investment.

“By removing financial barriers for medical students, we can help ensure more Ontarians get the care they need,” states OMA President Dr. Rebecca Hicks.

The Learn and Stay Program was first introduced in 2023, helping students in nursing, paramedic and medical laboratory technology/science programs.

The program was expanded to include medical students in 2024.

a stethoscope sitting on top of a pile of books

Internationally trained physicians to join N.B. health-care system

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More family doctors are preparing to join the province’s team of health-care professionals after completing a program that provides an alternate route to licensure for internationally trained physicians.

According to a government release from the Department of Health, the second group of candidates are wrapping up the Practice Ready Assessment New Brunswick program this month. These physicians will then transition into their roles as family doctors throughout the province.

The program, a 12-week clinical field assessment, is offered through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick and is supported by the Department of Health. Candidates are supervised by licensed New Brunswick physicians who evaluate their readiness, skills, and ability to provide safe care.

The first round of 10 candidates completed the program in March 2025 and are now practicing across the province.

Health Minister John Dornan says he is delighted to see more candidates getting assessed and completing the program.

“This program is an important tool in our efforts to strengthen family physician recruitment and improve access to health care,” said Dornan. “These physicians will play a key role in helping more New Brunswickers connect with a primary care provider.”

Successful candidates sign a three-year return-of-service agreement with the department upon completion.

The Department of Health says that additional groups are planned for this fall and onward.

Marcus Powlowski Mar 11 2026

Area MP seeks improved access to medications yet approved by Health Canada

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Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski is looking for changes to a program that grants special access to physicians, medications that have not been fully approved by Health Canada.

The program allows doctors access to the drugs only when conventional therapies have failed, are unsuitable or are unavailable.

Powlowski, an emergency physician, wants to reduce the time it takes to receive approval.

He cites an incident involving a doctor at Sick Kids Hospital as a reason for the change.

“A pediatric ICU doctor recently told me about spending six hours trying to resuscitate a child, the first four hours of which were spent trying to access a drug which is available only through this program, even though that drug is considered first-line therapy in the United States,” Powlowski told the House of Commons.

Powlowski says approval of his Private Member’s Bill would reduce the red tape that is associated with the program.

“And also leave the decision in life-threatening situations as to whether to use a drug not yet approved by Health Canada to the clinicians, not to bureaucrats in Ottawa.”

Powlowski introduced the bill last week, with a second reading expected when MPPs return from their March break.