Government Programs for Physicians

Ontario offers different programs and incentives to enable doctors to enjoy a rewarding career in the province, and these include:

HealthForceOntario Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention Initiative (NRRR Initiative)
The Northern and Rural Recruitment and Retention (NRRR) Initiative offers taxable financial incentives to each eligible physician who establishes a full-time practice in an eligible community of the province. The grants range between $80,000 and $117,600 paid over a 4-year period. The grants will be awarded based on eligibility criteria and considerations related to total NRRR Initiative budget allocations. Learn more.

HealthForceOntario Postgraduate Return of Service (ROS) Program
The ROS Program will enable all communities in Ontario (except the Toronto area and Ottawa) to recruit Canadian graduates and international medical graduates (who received medical training outside Canada) who have to fulfill return of service (ROS) commitments. Under ROS commitments, physicians agree to work for a designated period of time in a particular location in exchange for a postgraduate training opportunity in Ontario. Learn more.

The Underserviced Area Program
Administered by the Primary Health Care Team, this program enhances access to health care services in designated rural and remote areas of the province that have difficulty attracting and retaining health care professionals. It offers a variety of components aimed at attracting and retaining health care providers to underserviced areas in Ontario. Learn more.

Re-Entry Program
The Re-Entry Program provides funding each year for physicians currently practising in Canada to re-enter postgraduate medical training. Beginning in July 2010, the Ministry has funding for a total of 50 positions. Learn more. 

Repatriation Program: Additional Postgraduate Medical Training Positions in Ontario
The Repatriation Program funds additional postgraduate medical training positions in Ontario to recruit physicians who have completed or partially completed postgraduate residency training outside Canada and require up to 2 years of training to meet the national certification requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Learn more.