TORONTO, October 27, 2026 – The Ontario government announced its latest progress on primary health care on October 26, reporting that more than 511,000 residents have been newly connected to a family doctor or primary care team since the province launched its Primary Care Action Plan in 2025.
According to data released by Ontario’s Ministry of Health, the figures are current as of May 31, 2026. The government said the plan is progressing ahead of its original targets and remains focused on ensuring that all Ontario residents have access to primary care services by 2029.
Ontario introduced its Primary Care Action Plan in 2025, committing more than $3.4 billion to expand primary care capacity. The plan primarily targets residents who do not have consistent access to a family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team. The government previously estimated that approximately two million people were in this situation.
Health Minister Sylvia Jones said the province will continue expanding primary care teams, increasing available resources and improving how patients are matched with health care providers.
Jane Philpott, Chair of Ontario’s Primary Care Action Team, said primary care extends beyond the treatment of everyday illnesses to include chronic disease management, children’s health, preventive care and services for seniors.
The government currently estimates that nearly 90 per cent of Ontario residents have access to some form of primary care, although some residents still do not have a regular family doctor or primary care team.
Meanwhile, more than 470,000 people have been removed from the Health Care Connect waitlist since January 2025. Health Care Connect is a program designed to help residents without a family doctor or nurse practitioner find a primary care provider.
However, the government’s figures for more than 470,000 people removed from the waitlist and more than 511,000 residents newly connected to primary care represent two separate measures and should not be interpreted as referring to the same group of people.
Residents who have not yet found a family doctor or nurse practitioner can continue registering with Health Care Connect and wait to be matched with a provider.
（LJI by Yuanyuan）
