Ontario’s new eligibility rule for international medical graduates could leave hundreds of family medicine residency spots unfilled, warns SGFP
The Section of General and Family Practice (SGFP) is sounding the alarm about a recent change to Ontario’s medical residency application process. The government now requires international medical graduates (IMGs) to have completed at least two years of high school in Ontario to be eligible for the first round of residency placements.
This change could have serious consequences for Ontario’s healthcare system. Family medicine programs in the province rely heavily on internationally trained doctors. In 2025, about 60% of Ontario’s family medicine residency positions were filled by IMGs. Under the new rule, the number of eligible applicants in the first round is expected to drop from over 1,200 to just 170.
“Why are we talking about where they went to high school?” said Dr. David Barber, SGFP Chair. “We are in desperate need for more family doctors in Ontario. If a new doctor has completed medical school I cannot imagine why we would prevent them from starting residency based on where they went to high school. I thought I had read this wrong at first,” said Barber. “We should be opening doors, not closing them. At a time when more than two million people in Ontario don’t have a family doctor, we can’t afford to turn away qualified physicians.”
It is estimated under these new rules that at least 40% of family medicine residency positions will go unfilled after the first round of matching. Many top candidates will choose to apply in other provinces or the United States rather than wait for Ontario’s second round, which has a much shorter timeline and fewer available spots. With no third round or “scramble” process, many positions could remain vacant.
“It risks discouraging future applicants, delaying family medicine program expansion plans, and weakening the pipeline of new family doctors, just when we need them most,” said Barber.
SGFP is calling on the Ontario government to pause this policy and work with medical educators, residency programs, and physician leaders to find a better path forward, one that supports fairness, transparency, and timely access to care for all Ontarians.
About the Section on General & Family Practice
The OMA Section on General & Family Practice (SGFP) represents the 15,000+ general and family practice physicians of Ontario in negotiations and advocacy. SGFP also works collaboratively with our primary care partners, patient advocates and all system stakeholders. We believe that we can achieve the goal of a high-performing integrated health system by working together.
Author: Pete Fisher
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