WHEREAS the state of health care in Ontario is in crisis, with 2.3 million Ontarians lacking access to a family doctor, emergency room closures across the province, patients being derostered and 40% of family doctors considering retirement over the next five years; and
WHEREAS it has becoming increasingly challenging to attract and retain an adequate healthcare workforce throughout the health sector across Ontario; and
WHEREAS the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University says communities in northern Ontario are short more than 350 physicians, including more than 200 family doctors; and half of the physicians working in northern Ontario expected to retire in the next five years; and (Northern Ontario only)
WHERAS Ontario municipal governments play an integral role in the health care system through responsibilities in public health, long-term care, and paramedicine.
WHEREAS the percentage of family physicians practicing comprehensive family medicine has declined from 77 in 2008 to 65 percent in 2022; and WHEREAS per capita health-care spending in Ontario is the lowest of all provinces in Canada, and
WHEREAS a robust workforce developed through a provincial, sector-wide health human resources strategy would significantly improve access to health services across the province;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of Municipality of Middlesex Centre urges the Province of Ontario to recognize the physician shortage in Middlesex Centre and Ontario, to fund health care appropriately and ensure every Ontarian has access to physician care.