The Town of Collingwood is endorsing a resolution circulating across Ontario, which criticizes the provincial government for insufficient funding to address the doctor shortage.

On July 22, councillors discussed backing a motion jointly created by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Ontario Medical Association. This motion highlights that 2.3 million Ontarians lack a family doctor, and 40% of family doctors are contemplating retirement within five years.

Councillor Deb Doherty, who introduced the motion, emphasized the severity of the issue, particularly outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). She urged for the motion’s immediate approval ahead of the AMO Conference in Ottawa from August 18-21.

Doherty noted that municipalities are competing for physicians, which many cannot afford. The motion reveals a decline in family doctors practicing comprehensive medicine from 77% in 2008 to 65% in 2022, and Ontario’s per-capita healthcare spending is the lowest in Canada.

Earlier this year, CollingwoodToday reported that 6,000-7,000 residents in South Georgian Bay lack a local family doctor. The Ontario College of Family Physicians projects that by 2026, one in four Ontarians will be without a family doctor. The Ontario auditor general’s report indicates that one in five emergency visits are for non-urgent issues due to the lack of family doctors or other services.

Mayor Yvonne Hamlin, who previously served on the South Georgian Bay Physician Recruitment Committee, highlighted the past success in designating Collingwood as a high-need area for doctors. She identified barriers preventing family doctors from establishing practices in the town.