Why Your Support Matters: Powering SGFP Advocacy

Dear Members,

Over the past few weeks, I hope many of you have had your questions on the negotiations answered. If not, I encourage you to visit the OMA website to explore the arbitration briefs, OMA Live and FHO+ webinar recordings, the FHO+ information page, as well as my Chair’s letters from this month. I’d like to shift this letter from talking directly about negotiations to reflect on what is powering our advocacy and what it takes to keep it strong.

Family physicians across Ontario deserve strong, focused advocacy and SGFP is committed to ensuring our voice is heard. However, to sustain this work beyond the limitations of OMA funding allocated to SGFP, we rely on constituency fees that you contribute to us directly. I want to take a moment to explain why your contribution is vital.

If you’ve already donated - thank you! Your support strengthens our advocacy efforts. Please encourage your peers to contribute as well, so we can continue driving change together.

SUPPORT SGFP

While the OMA collects substantial annual dues, the SGFP receives only a tiny fraction of these funds which are largely restricted in use to compensate appointed physicians for meetings and meeting-related expenses. This leaves critical advocacy efforts unfunded. Unlike the OMA, the SGFP is exclusively focused on family doctors, ensuring that our unique challenges don’t get lost in broader physician advocacy.

I do want to pause to acknowledge the leadership of Kim Moran, OMA CEO, and Dr. Cathy Faulds, OMA Board Chair, who have taken meaningful steps to work with the SGFP in new and more collaborative ways. Their openness to advancing issues differently, through shared dialogue and aligned priorities, reflects a shift in how we can work together to strengthen family medicine across the province.

The SGFP is driving a fundamental shift toward a family medicine-centered health-care system - advocating for a model where family physicians are at the core of care delivery and decision-making. This vision is reflected in our recent policy paper, The Role & Value of Family Physicians in Ontario: The Keystone of Primary Health Care, which outlines where family medicine belongs within Ontario’s broader healthcare system. You can also learn more about the SGFP’s vision, purpose and values on our SGFP About Us page.

Your contributions have already delivered measurable impact. One major example: the SGFP commissioned independent research that directly shaped negotiations on physician compensation. This evidence helped refute the OMA’s Return on Education formula, securing an average $10,000 annual increase for family doctors, an amount that will continue to compound over time.

Beyond this key win and for less than a $1 a day, your $310 annual contribution helps us advance:

Evidence-Based Advocacy

• Commission research that strengthens negotiations, like our physician compensation study described above.
• Develop data-driven policies shaping the future of family medicine.
• Drive digital health solutions tailored to family doctors.

Strategic Leadership

• Employ a CEO dedicated to ensuring family physicians have a voice at every key decision table.
• Engage consultants to assist with negotiation strategy and policy development.

Direct Member Engagement

• Conduct focus groups to understand frontline experiences.
• Meet family doctors across Ontario, including Northern outreach in 2024.
• Gather insights via surveys on pressing issues.

Amplifying a Unified Voice

• Secure media coverage highlighting the challenges family doctors face.
• Provide communications that keep you updated.
• Represent family physicians directly in government meetings.

We’re also working to expand our website to serve as an even stronger resource for family doctors, where members can find policy updates, past Chair’s Letters, digital health insights, and advocacy efforts. Bookmark sgfp.ca to stay connected.

Additionally, we value your input! If you’d like to share where the SGFP should direct discretionary funds for maximum impact, connect with us at ChairLetterSGFP@outlook.com. We carefully review every comment and try to respond to as many as we can. While individual responses may not always be possible, your feedback is essential in shaping our future advocacy efforts.

Every dollar of your $310 annual contribution strengthens our ability to represent family physicians and drive real policy changes. If you’ve ever wanted stronger advocacy, now is the time to invest in the future of family medicine.

SUPPORT SGFP

Warm regards,

Dr. Dave Barber