Full Breakdown
Ontario's Primary Care Connection Plan: Progress and Challenges
1/13/2026, 12:10:37 AM
Overview of the Primary Care Initiative
The Ontario government, led by Premier Doug Ford, is actively working to connect every resident with a primary care provider by 2029. Despite this ambitious goal, approximately two million Ontarians remain without a primary care attachment. The initiative, spearheaded by Jane Philpott, a former federal Liberal cabinet minister, was announced just before an election where the Ontario Liberals emphasized healthcare access as a key issue.
Progress Towards Goals
The government's strategy outlines specific targets for connecting residents to primary care over the next several years. By the end of the 2025/26 fiscal year, the goal is to attach 300,000 individuals, followed by 500,000 in both 2026/27 and 2027/28, and finally 600,000 by 2028/29. As of September 2023, the government reported that 275,000 new individuals had already been connected to primary care, with officials expressing confidence in meeting the initial target.
In June 2025, the government approved 75 proposals for 135 primary care teams, which include various models such as nurse practitioner clinics, community health clinics, family health teams, and physician-only clinics. Each model employs different methods for patient attachment.
Concerns About Access to Care
While the government emphasizes the importance of connecting patients to primary care providers, Ontario’s auditor general has raised concerns regarding the distinction between attachment and access. The auditor noted that simply being attached to a primary care clinic does not ensure timely access to care. “Attachment refers to a documented and confirmed connection between a patient and a regular primary care provider; access refers to the ability to see a provider when needed,” the auditor stated.
Backlog and Wait Times
The province is also addressing a significant backlog of patients awaiting primary care connections through its Health Care Connect portal. In January 2025, the waitlist stood at approximately 234,500 individuals, but officials have indicated that they expect to clear this backlog by September 2025.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the plan have voiced concerns about the effectiveness of the government's approach, particularly regarding the actual availability of timely care once patients are connected to a provider. The auditor general's comments highlight a potential gap between policy goals and real-world outcomes, suggesting that simply increasing the number of attached patients may not resolve underlying access issues.
What's Next
As the Ontario government continues to implement its primary care connection plan, stakeholders will be closely monitoring progress towards the established targets and the effectiveness of the strategies employed to ensure that all Ontarians not only have a primary care provider but also timely access to necessary healthcare services.
