By 2026, the Ontario government will effectively bar international students from attending medical schools, reserving 95 per cent of spots for Ontario residents and the remainder for students from other parts of Canada. This legislation that Ontario Premier Doug Ford proposed aims to address the province’s physician shortage by prioritizing domestic students and ensuring that medical graduates stay and work in Ontario. While this policy may sound like a solution to this problem, I believe it risks unintended consequences that could limit the diversity and innovation crucial to Ontario’s healthcare system.
A quick fix to a growing problem?
Ontario’s healthcare system faces mounting challenges, with over 2.5 million people lacking access to a family doctor. Ford announced that medical school spots would soon be “100 per cent Canadian,” citing historical data suggesting international students once occupied 18 per cent of medical school seats. However, to the surprise of many, provincial data from the 2023–2024 academic year reveals that international students made up just 0.26 per cent of Ontario medical school enrolment — just 10 students out of 3,833 enrolled.
Amirali Nikoo, a third-year international student studying human biology and biochemistry at UTSC, shared his perspective on the policy in an email to The Varsity: “Frankly, I don’t think this policy significantly changes the situation for international students… [minimal] seats in Ontario went to international students even before this policy took effect. Most of the international pre-med students I know never seriously considered pursuing spots in Ontario’s medical schools — or even Canadian schools in general.”
Nikoo also questioned the policy’s effectiveness in increasing domestic enrolment, “The fact that this policy doesn’t meaningfully affect my situation suggests it probably doesn’t move the needle forward for domestic students either.”
However, he acknowledged that other policy components, such as the Ontario Learn and Stay grant, might have a more meaningful impact. The grant offers funding to Ontario students who will work in the region they studied in, covering tuition, books, and other student costs.
For domestic pre-med students, like Amsa Umapathithasan — a third-year student studying psychology and health studies at UTSC — the policy is seen as a step toward improving the chances of securing a spot in medical school. “Domestic students are more likely to stay in the province after graduation,” said Umapathithasan.
The price of diversity
As a domestic pre-med student who spent much of my life abroad, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing various healthcare systems firsthand. This exposure has deepened my appreciation for the vital role international students play in medical schools worldwide, including Ontario’s medical schools and healthcare system. Diverse backgrounds bring invaluable insights into different healthcare models and challenges, which can foster innovation in areas like public health, rural healthcare, and medical research that require wider views of health.
International students don’t simply fill seats — they bring new perspectives into Canada that can create needed changes and innovations in medical research and healthcare practices, helping the Ontario healthcare system remain competitive on a global stage. By excluding them, Ontario risks losing not only a key source of fresh ideas and creative solutions but also new talent and high-achieving individuals who could drive innovation and improve the province’s healthcare system.
Moreover, if Canada closes its doors to international students, other countries and top institutions — including prestigious Ivy League schools in the US — will welcome them with open arms. I believe students eager to pursue a career in medicine won’t wait for opportunities in Canada — they will find them elsewhere. In my view, Ontario — and by extension, Canada — risks losing some of the best and brightest minds in the field if it fails to even allow international students a chance to apply and contribute to the healthcare system.
Finding a common ground: A suggested approach to holistic admissions
The government’s policy may address immediate concerns about physician numbers but I don’t think it tackles the structural issues within Ontario’s healthcare system. Therefore, we need to consider a more inclusive approach — one that could strike a balance between alleviating the province’s physician shortage and preserving diversity and innovation.
I propose a solution that involves reserving 90 per cent of medical school seats for in-province students, five per cent for out-of-province Canadian students, and five per cent for exceptional international candidates.
These international applicants could be selected based on strict criteria, such as academic excellence, a demonstrated commitment to working in underserved areas, and a mandatory service agreement to practice in Ontario for a specified number of years after graduation. If no international candidates meet these standards in a given academic year, the remaining seats could be reallocated to domestic students.
This flexible approach ensures that Ontario prioritizes its healthcare needs without entirely barring international talent. It allows medical schools to retain global competitiveness while ensuring that all graduates contribute meaningfully to the province.
The path forward
Ontario’s medical schools must address the physician shortage while ensuring long-term excellence. Reserving all seats for domestic students may seem like a practical step toward retaining physicians in the province, but the complete exclusion of international students risks missing out on valuable diversity and innovation. I see a more inclusive policy — paired with expanded initiatives like the Learn and Stay program — helping create a workforce that is both locally committed and globally informed.
Ontario’s healthcare challenges require more than quick fixes. They need visionary solutions. By fostering an environment that values both homegrown and global perspectives, Ontario can lay the foundation for a healthcare system that is not only diverse and innovative but also resilient and well-staffed — ready to meet the complex demands of tomorrow.
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