Provincial Election Countdown: Time to Speak Up for Family Medicine

Dear SGFP members,

Ontario Government Announces $1.4B Investment Plan for Primary Care as Provincial Election Campaign Begins

With a provincial election expected to be called shortly, healthcare will remain a top election priority for Ontarians. This week, the Ontario government, alongside Dr. Jane Philpott, announced a $1.4 billion investment plan for increasing primary care access, showing that our sustained advocacy is having an impact and healthcare access cannot be ignored this election.

While this funding will largely support team-based care infrastructure, it's essential to understand this investment does not address physician compensation - a fundamental issue we continue to champion at the negotiating table.

Team-based care is essential, but it's only part of the solution. Without fair compensation for family doctors, we can't address the root causes driving our current healthcare crisis. Building more teams while doctors continue leaving comprehensive care is like preparing exam rooms with no doctors to work in them.

Your SGFP Executive had the opportunity to meet directly with Jane Philpott on January 24th. As a family doctor, Dr. Philpott understands our concerns. Her emphasis on preserving physician choice and autonomy aligns with our position. However, the success of any initiative will depend on the details and implementation with family physician leadership. We need sustainable solutions that support existing family doctors, reducing admin burden, and attracting new doctors to primary care.

The stark reality remains: 2.5 million Ontarians lack access to a family doctor, and projections show this number could reach 4.1 million by 2026 without meaningful intervention—the crisis demands more than campaign promises.

We're cautiously optimistic about this funding announcement, but your SGFP will continue fighting to ensure pre-election commitments translate into real action.  

Ontario Election 2025

Elections provide a strategic window where healthcare issues command attention. Please use this opportunity to amplify our message: family doctors need immediate, substantive support to ensure Ontarians have access to quality care.

To help you advocate effectively, we've attached an "Elections Readiness Guide" with focused questions about family physician support. Use these tools when candidates visit your practice or home, and feel free to provide copies to all your patients. Every conversation about family medicine during this campaign helps keep our issues front and center.

Your voice matters now more than ever. Review the attached election guide and share it widely. When candidates seek your vote, they need to hear directly about Ontario's critical state of family medicine.

Warm regards,

Dr. David Barber
Chair, Section on General and Family Practice (SGFP)