Ontario says they’re taking major steps to strengthen its primary care system with a new bill and $300 million investment aimed at expanding access to family doctors and other healthcare professionals.
On May 7, the province introduced the Primary Care Act, 2025, a first-of-its-kind law in Canada that, if passed, will outline what residents can expect from Ontario’s publicly funded primary care system. The legislation is part of a broader Primary Care Action Plan to connect two million more Ontarians to a primary care team over the next four years.
“Primary care is the foundation of our health care system,” said Health Minister Sylvia Jones. “We are improving access to care and empowering people with the tools to increase their well-being.”
As part of the 2025 provincial budget, the government is committing $300 million to build or expand up to 17 community-based primary care teaching clinics in areas where residents have limited access to family doctors. These clinics will serve about 300,000 more people and train future healthcare workers through partnerships with Ontario universities.
“This legislation would bring us one step closer to our commitment to connect more people to care,” said Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy.
The new law also defines six goals for the system: province-wide access, connected care, convenience, inclusion, empowerment through digital access, and responsiveness to community needs.
Dr. Jane Philpott, Chair of Ontario’s Primary Care Action Team, called the move “a significant milestone” in expanding access to family doctors and improving care across the province.
Details on clinic locations will be shared later this summer.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
