Primary Care Plan Strengthens Public Health Care Access
OTTAWA — Ontario is accelerating efforts to expand access to public health care through a $3.4 billion Primary Care Action Plan aimed at connecting every resident to a family doctor, nurse practitioner, or primary care team by 2029.
During a visit to the Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre in Ottawa, Premier Doug Ford highlighted the progress already being made across the province, pointing to the clinic’s success in rapidly connecting patients to care.
“We’re investing record amounts in health care across Ontario, building hospitals, training more doctors and nurses than ever before and connecting patients to convenient primary care in their community,” said Ford.
Since receiving $1.15 million in provincial funding, the Pinecrest-Queensway clinic has already attached nearly 1,800 patients to care — more than 80 per cent of its target — putting it on track to meet or exceed its goal ahead of schedule.
Primary Care Expansion Strengthens Public Health Care Access
The Ottawa region is one of several benefiting from expanded primary care funding, with six teams receiving a combined $8.1 million to improve access to care.
These teams include:
- Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre
- Greenbelt Family Health Team
- South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre
- Équipe de santé familiale communautaire de l’Est d’Ottawa
- Équipe de santé familiale académique Montfort
- Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health
Together, these organizations are helping connect thousands of patients to essential services while working toward long-term provincial targets.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said expanding team-based care is critical to reducing pressure on emergency departments.
“By investing in new and expanded primary care teams, we are ensuring families can access care when and where they need it, while relieving pressure on hospitals,” said Jones.
Waitlist Reductions Signal Early Success
Ontario reports that nearly 90 per cent of residents are already connected to a regular health-care provider, with the province targeting full coverage by 2029.
One of the key milestones in the plan — reducing the Health Care Connect waitlist — is already well underway. As of April 2026, the waitlist has been reduced by more than 90 per cent, reflecting significant progress in improving access to care.
The province has approved 199 new or expanded primary care teams, expected to connect 800,000 additional patients, with further funding rounds aiming to reach a total of two million people.
Team-Based Care Model Expands Across Ontario
Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan focuses on interprofessional teams, bringing together a range of health professionals under one roof, including:
- Family physicians
- Nurse practitioners
- Registered nurses
- Physiotherapists
- Social workers
- Dietitians
This model improves care coordination, enables faster diagnoses, and supports patients in managing chronic conditions — all key elements in strengthening public health care.
Dr. Jane Philpott, Chair of Ontario’s Primary Care Action Team, continues to guide the province’s efforts to ensure all residents have reliable access to care.
Building a More Connected Health-Care System
The expansion of primary care services is part of Ontario’s broader strategy to modernize public health care, improve patient outcomes, and reduce system strain.
By increasing access to primary care, the province aims to:
- Prevent unnecessary emergency room visits
- Enable earlier diagnosis and treatment
- Provide consistent, long-term patient support
These investments also support workforce growth, with Ontario adding nearly 20,000 physicians since 2018 and continuing efforts to recruit nurses and doctors from outside the province.
🩺 Public Health Watch is GTA Weekly’s ongoing series tracking health-care developments across Ontario—from primary care expansion to hospital infrastructure and mental health initiatives.
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