Canada's Primary Care Access Reveals Regional Disparities, Systemic Fragmentation

Event summary

  • Approximately 5.8 million Canadian adults lack access to primary care, according to the 2025 OurCare National Survey.
  • Regional access varies significantly, with Atlantic provinces, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Quebec experiencing the lowest rates (63-73%).
  • Ontario leads in per capita access but still faces a shortfall of 1.5 million adults without primary care.
  • Less than one-third of respondents in Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, and the Territories can access health records online.
  • Satisfaction with the primary care system is low nationwide (27.8%), but highest in the Territories (35-37%).

The big picture

The survey highlights a critical flaw in Canada's healthcare system: a lack of national coordination leading to significant regional disparities in access and quality of primary care. This fragmentation undermines the CMA's stated ambition of a unified national system and creates a significant risk of escalating healthcare costs and worsening health outcomes. The findings suggest a need for a fundamental re-evaluation of how healthcare is structured and funded across provinces and territories.

What we're watching

Policy Response
The CMA's advocacy for policy changes (immigration, paperwork reduction) will be crucial, but the fragmented nature of provincial healthcare systems may hinder national-level impact.
Digital Adoption
The low online health record access rates in several provinces suggest a significant digital infrastructure gap that will need to be addressed to improve patient engagement and care coordination.
Private Care
The higher prevalence of private service usage in Quebec among those without primary care indicates a potential market opportunity and underscores the need for equitable access solutions.