On Saturday morning, a long line formed outside the Active Care clinic in Kanata, west of Ottawa, as hundreds of residents braved the cold wind just to register as patients of their family doctor.
The clinic announced it would accept 400 to 600 new patients, some of whom would be managed by physician assistants. This announcement attracted many residents who lacked family doctors.
Ontario has faced a severe shortage of family physicians in recent years. The Ontario Medical Association states that approximately 2.5 million people in the province lack a family physician, and nearly 40% of physicians are considering retirement. Despite increased government investment, medical resources remain insufficient to meet demand.
Many residents said they had been unable to find replacements for years after doctors retired, moved, or closed their clinics. Some even queued up as early as 4:30 a.m. in the hope of securing registration. The clinic said it currently has eight doctors and three physician assistants.
Physician assistants can perform physical examinations, issue referrals, and provide some prescriptions, but they cannot prescribe narcotics. This collaborative model helps shorten wait times and allow more people to access basic medical services.