Canada funds 200 more Practice Ready Ontario places for internationally trained family doctors

Health Canada said in a news release dated 7 October 2026 that Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones announced more than $31 million for six projects to speed the entry of internationally educated health professionals. Of this, $20 million goes to Practice Ready Ontario to add 50 positions a year for four years, up to 200 internationally educated family physicians by 2028-29, with a stream for French-speaking doctors and a focus on northern, rural and Francophone communities. Jones said Ontario is separately investing over $25 million to support 150 participants a year from 2026/27.

Practice Ready Ontario, run by Touchstone Institute with the Ontario government and licensed through the CPSO, uses a 12-week clinical field assessment instead of a two-year residency, followed by supervised practice under a three-year return of service, according to CIC News. Touchstone's requirements include Canadian citizenship or permanent residence, the LMCC (or a passed MCCQE Part 1 while awaiting it), passes in the NAC and TDM examinations, at least 48 months of combined family medicine training and practice, 960 practice hours in the last three years, and English proficiency such as IELTS 7.0 or OET B unless exempt. It is not a route for new graduates.

Verify requirements on Touchstone Institute's PRO page.