Ontario seeks to add more primary care teams to attach 600,000 people

TORONTO - Ontario is set to launch a call for proposals to establish or enhance 78 primary care teams, as part of its objective to connect every resident to primary care by 2029. Health Minister Sylvia Jones revealed that 437,000 individuals have already been integrated into the primary care system since the government's initiative began last year. The upcoming round of proposals aims to serve an additional 600,000 people.

Jones has pledged to ensure that two million Ontarians have access to primary care, although the Ontario Medical Association indicates that 2.5 million people currently lack a family doctor. The government is confident it is on track to meet its target. To achieve this, Ontario is focusing on expanding interdisciplinary care, involving teams composed of various health professionals such as doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, social workers, and more.

This report by The Canadian Press was originally published on August 18, 2026.