How to Get a Family Physician (GP) in Canada: Step-by-Step Guide for 2025

Struggling to find a family physician in Canada? This guide walks you through registration systems, interim options, province differences, and key tips to get your GP faster.

Introduction

Many Canadians find themselves without a family physician, unsure where to begin. You might have moved, lived in a rural area, or simply discovered that no clinic near you is accepting new patients. The good news: there are concrete steps you can take to get attached to a GP — depending on your province, health coverage, and persistence.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process province by province, explain how waitlists and registries work, offer interim solutions while you wait, and share tips to increase your chances. The goal: by the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to getting a family doctor in Canada.

Why It’s Hard & Why It Matters

The Problem: Why Getting a Family Physician in Canada Is Challenging

It’s not just you. The shortage of family doctors in Canada is real and growing.

• A 2023 analysis found that over one in five Canadians—roughly 6.5 million people—don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner they see regularly.
• In 2021, 14.4 % of Canadians—about 4.7 million—reported not having a regular health care provider.
• In Ontario alone, recent data shows around 2.5 million people lack a family doctor.
• This isn’t uniform: rural and remote areas, as well as under-resourced regions, often face the worst shortages.

The reasons are multifaceted: burnout, fewer physicians choosing family practice, logistical burdens on practices, and uneven distribution of doctors across regions.

Because of this, many people are effectively “unattached” — without a primary care provider linking them to the health system.

Why You Should Try to Get One Anyway

Having a family physician isn’t just a convenience — it’s foundational to good health care.

• Continuity of care: your doctor knows your history, making diagnosis and preventive care more effective.
• Lower long-term costs: fewer emergency visits, more preventive checks, prompt treatment.
• Access to specialist referrals and coordinated care: many specialists require a referral from your GP.
• Better health outcomes: people with stable primary care tend to manage chronic conditions more effectively and avoid complications.

Even if there’s a waitlist, being registered and proactive gives you a head start.

Understanding How “Attachment Systems” & Registries Work

What Are Centralized Wait Lists / Registries?

Because so many Canadians are without a family doctor, many provinces have created registries or wait lists—sometimes called “unattached patient registries” or “centralized waitlists.” These systems allow people without a GP to register their interest. When a doctor in your region becomes available and is accepting new patients, the registry matches you (or offers you a referral).

Benefits of registries:

• They help governments and health planners track demand.
• They aim to allocate new patient spots more fairly.
• They can reduce you having to chase clinics individually.

Limitations:

• Being on a registry does not guarantee you’ll get a GP quickly (or at all, depending on local supply).
• Some regions prioritize based on health need or vulnerability.
• You’ll still often need to search independently in parallel.

How Provinces / Territories Handle It – A Snapshot

Here’s a simplified snapshot of some provincial systems (there are others too). Policies and names change, so always check the relevant health ministry.

These lists often require you to provide basic personal information, health card number, address, and sometimes medical history or urgency.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility / Health Card Status

Before registering for any list or contacting clinics, you need to confirm you qualify.

• You must generally be a resident of the province or territory, with a valid provincial health card.
• In some provinces, new residents face waiting periods (e.g. 3 months) before coverage kicks in.
• If you recently moved between provinces, ensure your health coverage is activated in your new province.
• Some registries require you to not already have a primary care provider (i.e. be unattached).

If you fail the eligibility check, your registration may be rejected or delayed.

Step 2: Register with the Provincial / Local Program / Registry

This is the stage where you formally express your request for a family physician and join a waitlist or matching system. Below are how this works in a few major provinces; always check your province’s health ministry site for the latest.

Ontario: Health Care Connect

If you live in Ontario and don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, you can sign up with Health Care Connect. You call 1-800-445-1822 or register online via the Ontario government “Find a doctor or nurse practitioner” portal.
When registering, you’ll need a valid Ontario health card and your current address. The program will ask a few health-related questions to help assess priority.
You’ll then be registered with a Care Connector, a nurse who works with local doctors accepting new patients. This is not a guarantee—but being in the system can help you get matched faster.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario also offers resources on finding new doctors and community health centres.

British Columbia: Health Connect Registry (Provincial Attachment System)

In B.C., the Health Connect Registry is the centralized list of people who need a family physician or nurse practitioner.

• Registration takes just a few minutes: you need your Personal Health Number (PHN), address, contact info, and optionally—health status.
• Once you’re registered, the system will try to match you with a provider as capacity becomes available.
• The provincial attachment system includes three registries: one for patients (Health Connect), one for clinics/providers, and one for provider panels.
• While waiting, you’ll get updates and may be asked to confirm or update your registration details (for example, if you move or your health changes).

Other provinces have similar systems—some provincial registries may go by different names (for example, in Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick). The key is to search for your province’s “patient attachment” or “find a doctor registry” service.

Step 3: Use Alternative / Interim Options While You Wait

Because the wait for a GP can be long, you shouldn’t stay stuck without any access to primary care. Here are interim paths to consider:

Walk-in Clinics & Urgent Primary Care Centres

Walk-in clinics let you see a doctor without an appointment. They’re helpful for routine issues (minor injuries, infections, prescriptions). But they may not offer long-term continuity.
Urgent primary care centres (where available) are alternatives to walk-ins, often staffed to manage both urgent, non-emergency problems and ongoing care.

Community Health Centres & Nurse Practitioner Clinics

Many provinces have community health centres or clinics run by nurse practitioners or multidisciplinary teams (nurses, pharmacists, dietitians). These places sometimes accept patients who don’t yet have a family physician.

Virtual / Telemedicine Services

Online or phone-based primary care services are increasingly common. Some services let you consult a provider remotely for non-urgent care, renew prescriptions, or get referrals. In provinces where telehealth is well established, these can bridge the gap.

Pharmacies & Minor-Ailment Programs

Some provinces empower pharmacists to treat minor conditions (e.g. urinary tract infections, minor skin issues) and renew certain prescriptions. While not a replacement for a GP, it’s a useful stopgap.

Step 4: Follow Up & Be Proactive

Registering is not “set it and forget it.” Being proactive can improve your chances.

Check Your Registry Status Regularly

• Contact the registry if your contact info or address changes.
• Ask about your position in the queue (if available).
• Some provinces let you update your health status to reflect increased urgency.

Contact Local Clinics Directly

Even once you’re on a waitlist, check your neighbourhood clinics. Call and ask if they’re accepting new patients. Some doctors keep unadvertised “openings” for new patients or cancellations.

Use Networks & Community Groups

Local Facebook groups, neighbourhood associations, or community centres sometimes share leads about doctors accepting patients. Word of mouth can help. Also, existing patients may ask their GP if they can take one more person.

Be Flexible with Location

If your home area has no openings, consider clinics a bit farther away. Sometimes that’s enough to land a match.

Step 5: What to Expect After You Are Accepted

Finally getting matched with a family physician can feel like a relief. But it also comes with responsibilities and some paperwork. Knowing what to expect helps you get started on the right foot.

Your First Appointment

When a clinic accepts you, they’ll schedule an intake or first appointment. During this visit, your doctor (or sometimes a nurse) will:

• Review your medical history in detail
• Ask about current medications, allergies, and chronic conditions
• Record your vaccination history
• Establish baseline tests if needed (bloodwork, blood pressure, etc.)

This is also your chance to ask questions and outline your expectations. Bring any old medical files or records you may have.

Paperwork and Forms

Most provinces require you to sign a patient–physician agreement. This document confirms that this doctor is your “most responsible provider” and that you’ll seek most of your routine care through them.

The agreement protects both sides: the doctor commits to providing care, and you agree not to stay enrolled with multiple family physicians at once. This makes it easier for health systems to track continuity of care.

Frequency of Visits and Services Covered

Family physicians manage a wide range of care:

• Preventive care (vaccines, screenings)
• Ongoing management of chronic illnesses (diabetes, asthma, hypertension)
• Referrals to specialists (cardiology, dermatology, mental health, etc.)
• Prescription renewals and medication management

Some services may be offered by nurse practitioners or other allied health professionals in the same clinic.

Referrals to Specialists

In most provinces, you’ll need a referral from your family doctor before seeing a specialist under public health coverage. For example, if you need a dermatologist or orthopedic surgeon, your GP makes that referral. This ensures specialists are used appropriately and records flow back to your main provider.

Tips, Challenges & Common Mistakes

Useful Tips to Improve Your Chances

Finding a family physician in Canada isn’t always straightforward. Here are practical strategies:

• Be persistent: Call registries and clinics occasionally to check for openings.
• Stay flexible: If you can travel farther or accept a physician outside your immediate neighbourhood, your wait time may shrink.
• Use local hospitals or community health boards: Some post notices when doctors are taking new patients.
• Check professional directories: Provincial colleges (like the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario) maintain databases where you can filter for physicians accepting new patients.
• Leverage personal networks: Friends, neighbours, or colleagues may know when doctors are opening new spots.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Just as there are tips, there are also mistakes that can slow your progress:

• Relying only on registries: Wait times can be long, so search actively on your own.
• Not updating contact details: If your phone or address changes, you could miss a notification.
• Accepting a clinic too far away: Travel time matters. A long commute may make it harder to maintain regular care.
• Assuming every GP is the same: Some clinics emphasize certain services (e.g., women’s health, chronic care) more than others.

Key Differences Across Provinces

The process is broadly similar across Canada, but there are important regional differences. Here’s a quick comparison:

(Estimates compiled from provincial health authority updates in 2024–25)

Challenges and Realities of Finding a Family Physician

Even when you follow every step, there are obstacles that can slow down the process of getting a family physician in Canada. Understanding these challenges upfront will help you set realistic expectations.

Long Waitlists

In some provinces, waitlists are months or even years long. Nova Scotia, for example, publishes monthly reports showing more than 142,000 residents still waiting for a family practice. Urban centres such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal also face high demand, while smaller communities sometimes have no open clinics at all.

Regional Disparities

The ease of finding a doctor often depends on where you live. Urban residents might assume they have more options, but cities also have more competition. On the other hand, rural and northern communities may have fewer physicians in total, making recruitment a persistent issue. Governments try to address this through incentives, but coverage remains uneven.

Physician Retirement and Turnover

Canada’s family physician workforce is aging. Many doctors plan to retire in the next decade, which means more patients may lose their provider. This turnover adds to the sense of instability in primary care.

Common Questions People Ask

How Long Does It Take to Get a Family Doctor in Canada?

Wait times vary dramatically. In Ontario, Health Care Connect placements can range from a few months to over a year depending on region. In Quebec, some patients report waiting more than a year on the Guichet d’accès à un médecin de famille system.

The bottom line: expect several months at least, and plan for interim care while you wait.

Can I See a Specialist Without a Family Doctor?

In most provinces, you need a referral from your GP to access publicly funded specialists. Without one, you may have to pay out of pocket or seek care through private clinics. Exceptions exist for emergency care and certain services (like sexual health clinics), but generally a family doctor is your gateway to the system. The Canadian Medical Association outlines the role of primary care in ensuring coordinated access.

What If There Is No Doctor Accepting Patients in My Area?

If registries and local clinics aren’t working, try:

• Nurse practitioner–led clinics
• Community health centres
• Virtual care platforms that operate across provinces
• Urgent primary care centres (in BC and some other provinces)

You can also broaden your search radius and consider a doctor in a nearby town if travel is manageable.

Can I Switch My Family Doctor Later?

Yes. If you move or feel the relationship isn’t a good fit, you can change providers. The process usually involves deregistering with your current GP and then rejoining the provincial registry. Keep in mind this may mean another wait period, so it’s best to carefully evaluate before switching.

Is Virtual Primary Care an Acceptable Replacement?

Virtual care is expanding across Canada, with many provinces funding some services under public health. While telemedicine can’t fully replace in-person care, it is increasingly accepted for routine visits, prescription renewals, and follow-up. Some providers offer hybrid models—seeing patients both virtually and in clinic.

Practical Example: Comparing Two Patient Journeys

To illustrate, here’s a comparison of two residents trying to find a GP:

These examples show why persistence and using multiple strategies matter.

Long-Term Success With Your Family Physician

Securing a family physician is only the first step. Building a strong, long-term relationship ensures you get the most benefit from primary care.

Keep Regular Appointments

Even if you’re not sick, book annual check-ups. Preventive visits help spot issues early and keep your health records up to date.

Be Honest and Prepared

Bring a list of medications, supplements, or recent concerns. Share accurate lifestyle details—diet, exercise, stress, alcohol use—so your physician has the full picture.

Respect the Relationship

Remember that GPs manage thousands of patients. Respect appointment times, follow clinic policies, and use after-hours or telehealth services appropriately. This makes it easier to stay attached long-term.

When Things Don’t Work Out

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the match isn’t right. You might feel unheard, or the clinic location becomes impractical. If that happens:

• Consider discussing concerns directly with your physician.
• Explore whether the clinic offers another provider within the same team.
• As a last resort, start the process again through your provincial registry.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and other provincial colleges offer guidance if you need to file a complaint or change providers formally.

Final Checklist for Getting a Family Physician in Canada

Here’s a quick recap you can keep handy:

1. Confirm eligibility and health card status.
2. Register with your provincial registry (Health Care Connect, Health Connect Registry, etc.).
3. Use interim care: walk-ins, urgent care centres, nurse practitioners, telehealth.
4. Stay proactive: call clinics, check directories, ask around.
5. Prepare for your first appointment with records and questions.
6. Maintain the relationship with regular visits and communication.

Conclusion

Finding a family physician in Canada can be frustrating, but it is possible with persistence, flexibility, and the right resources. Registries like Ontario’s Health Care Connect or British Columbia’s Health Connect Registry are essential starting points, but the real key is combining those with active searching and interim solutions.

A family physician offers more than just convenience. They are the backbone of your care, providing continuity, preventive services, and access to specialists. The effort you put in now pays off in better health and peace of mind in the years ahead.

If you’re starting the process today, register with your province’s system, explore local clinics, and consider joining a community newsletter or health resource group for updates. Staying informed and proactive is the surest way to move from waiting list to a lasting patient–physician relationship.

FAQ

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