Toronto — In a major step toward its goal of connecting every Ontario resident to a family doctor or primary care team by 2029, the provincial government has launched its first call for proposals to establish and expand up to 80 primary care teams this year. The initiative aims to connect 300,000 more people to primary care services in 2025.
The announcement, made by Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, marks the beginning of a $213 million investment targeting communities with the highest concentration of unattached patients—those currently without a regular family doctor or primary care provider.
“Through our government’s record investments in primary care, Ontario has achieved the highest rate of access to a regular health care provider in the country,” said Jones in the official release. “To continue to build on this progress, we are taking the next step to connect 300,000 more people to primary care this year.”
The funding comes from the province’s broader $1.8 billion commitment to create 305 new primary care teams over four years, which is expected to connect approximately two million more people to publicly funded primary care.
Today, our government launched the first call for proposals to add up to 80 new primary care teams that will connect 300,000 more people to primary care this year – bringing us one step closer to connecting everyone to primary care by 2029.https://t.co/C3JsthXdIk pic.twitter.com/F7JqwWR3VJ
— Sylvia Jones (@SylviaJonesMPP) April 10, 2025
The first wave of proposals is being directed at communities where the average number of people without a primary care provider is around 8,000 per postal code. Applications are open from April 10 to May 2, 2025, with approved teams expected to be announced by summer. A second call for proposals is planned for September.
Dr. Jane Philpott, who leads the province’s Primary Care Action Team, emphasized that the new system will assign residents to primary care teams based on postal code. “Together we are building a primary care system that is comprehensive, convenient, and connected for every single person in Ontario,” said Philpott.
Each interprofessional team will include a mix of health professionals—such as family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, social workers, and dietitians—tailored to meet the needs of each community.
To support these teams, the province is also allocating $22 million to help existing primary care organizations manage rising operational costs, and an additional $37 million to bolster Ontario Health Teams in delivering local support.
This expansion builds on the 328,000 residents already connected to care through previous investments and complements other healthcare system efforts, including the opening of two new medical schools and an increase in training capacity for medical students.
As the healthcare system evolves, this initiative reflects a broader strategy under the “Your Health” plan, aiming to deliver care that is not only accessible but also seamlessly integrated for all Ontarians.
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