The Ontario government has unveiled plans to collaborate with York University in establishing a new medical school dedicated to training family physicians, as announced in the 2024 budget.
With an allocation of approximately $9 million earmarked for the initial stages of planning and launching the medical school, York University’s newest institution will be located in Vaughan, Ontario, and will concentrate specifically on family medicine. This initiative marks the first medical school in Canada with a specific mandate for family doctors.
According to the budget statement, the York University School of Medicine aims to equip the next generation of primary care physicians, emphasizing diversity to better serve their respective communities.
Although specific details such as the number of undergraduate and graduate positions have not yet been disclosed, the province highlights the pressing need for family doctors in regions like York, Simcoe, and Muskoka.
York University, chosen as the partner for this venture, faced financial scrutiny in recent months due to declining domestic enrollment and a heavy reliance on international students. Despite these concerns raised by the auditor general, Ontario’s Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy expressed confidence in York University’s ability to oversee the new medical school.
This announcement builds upon the government’s commitment outlined in the 2022 budget to establish a medical school in Brampton through a partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University. The 2022 plan included the creation of 80 undergraduate seats and 95 postgraduate positions as part of a broader strategy to expand medical education opportunities in Ontario.
The establishment of these medical schools underscores the government’s dedication to addressing healthcare needs and providing greater access to medical education within the province.