Ontario prioritizes homegrown medical students

Starting in fall 2026, Ontario will limit medical school admissions for international students and will introduce new funding initiatives aimed at Ontario residents. The province plans to reserve at least 95% of medical school spots for Ontario residents, with the remaining spots allocated to students from other Canadian provinces.  Only 0.26% of Ontario’s medical school enrollment is international, with only 10 among 3,833 students in the 2023-24 school year. However, Ontario will cover tuition for over 1,000 students committed to becoming family doctors in the province to support local talent further. The expanded “Learn and Stay” program, with an expected budget of $88 million, will provide tuition and educational cost coverage to 1,360 eligible undergraduates. This initiative aims to enhance access to primary care for 1.36 million more Ontarians.