2026-09-21 from cma.ca
It’s no secret that Canada needs more doctors. According to a 2025 CMA report, there's currently a shortage of 22,823 family physicians, leaving millions of people in Canada without access to a regular family doctor. The challenge? Becoming a doctor isn't just intellectually difficult; it also requires navigating challenges within the system.
How hard is it to get into Canadian medical school?
Canada currently has 18 medical schools, with fewer than 3,812 spots available for thousands of applicants every year.
In the 2024/2025 cycle, only about 21% of applicants received at least one offer of admission to a Canadian medical school.
Why can’t Canadian medical schools just accept more applicants?
There aren’t enough residency spots to accommodate an increase in medical school graduates — a crucial next step on the path to becoming a doctor. Three new medical schools are slated to open in Canada by the fall of 2026, which may help unlock more residency spots.
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