Registering with a family doctor is the single most important step in successfully navigating the Canadian health-care system. As gatekeepers to the full resources of the health-care system, family doctors are your first point of contact for most health issues and are an essential link to other medical services, including specialist referrals, diagnostic tests such as ultrasounds, X-rays and MRIs, and prescription medications.
A recent Ipsos-Reid report found that access to doctors is the primary personal health issue on the minds of Canadians. This is not surprising, as around five million Canadians do not have a family physician. Being accepted as a patient can be tough, but there are ways to make the search easier.
Begin by checking with the College of Physicians and Surgeons (the medical regulatory and licensing authority) in your province. Alternatively, some provinces and territories provide specialized "find a doctor" directories in which physicians may participate.
Here are your best bets:
Newfoundland and Labrador: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador, 709-726-8546, cpsnl.ca
Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Department of Health, 877-731-1931, gov.ns.ca/health/physicians
New Brunswick: College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick, 1-800-667-4641, cpsnb.org/webdata/drdbase_form.shtml
Prince Edward Island: Health PEI Patient Registry Program, 800-321-5492, healthpei.ca
Quebec: Collège des Médecins du Québec, 888-633-3246, cmq.org
Ontario: Health Care Connect, 800-445-1822, ontario.ca/healthcareconnect
Manitoba: The Family Doctor Connection, 866-690-8260
Saskatchewan: Government of Saskatchewan, health.gov.sk.ca/find-a-doctor
Alberta: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, 866-408-5465, cpsa.ab.ca
British Columbia: College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia, 800-461-3008, cpsbc.ca
Nunavut: Government of Nunavut, 877-212-6438, gov.nu.ca
Northwest Territories: Northwest Territories Department of Health and Social Services, hlthss.gov.nt.ca
Yukon: Yukon Health and Social Services, 867-393-6980, hss.gov.yk.ca/findadoctor.php
Page 1 of 2 – On page 2 you'll find more helpful tips for finding a great family doctor in your neighbourhood.
