Canadian Medical Association

Family physicians reach agreement in principle with Quebec over Bill 2 | CBC News Quebec family doctors have struck a tentative agreement with the province, only weeks before the implementation of controversial reforms that threatened clinic closures and the departure of GPs to oth...

The CMA is encouraged that the Quebec government and @fmoq.bsky.social have reached a tentative agreement to suspend Bill 2. It’s important that politicians work with physicians to implement known solutions to improve access to care. We’ll continue to support Quebec doctors as they assess the deal.

Canadian Medical Association welcomes new federal measures to fast-track international doctors The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) welcomes Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Minister Lena Diab’s announcement today on new measures to help clear the path for doctors who want to move to Canada.

The CMA welcomes today's announcement on new measures to help clear the path for international doctors who want to work in Canada. Recognizing the talent that is already here and removing barriers that keep physicians from practising will help strengthen #AccessToCare.

Our statement ⬇️

New survey reveals access to primary care growing, but 5.9 million adults in Canada still lack regular doctor Access to primary care in Canada is slowly improving, but nearly 6 million Canadians still lack regular access to a primary care professional, according to a new survey. The OurCare Survey 2025 shows ...

The 2025 OurCare survey, conducted by @unityhealthto.bsky.social in partnership with the CMA, asked nearly 17K Canadians about their experience navigating the health care system. Results reveal that while access to primary care is improving, we still have a long way to go.

CMA President’s Tour 2025: What doctors need now Patients harmed by false health information. Ongoing workforce shortages. Government interference in medical practice.

Physicians across Canada shared urgent system challenges during the CMA President's Tour — from misinformation and licensing barriers, to primary care shortages and administrative burden. Their insights will guide our advocacy work in 2026.

Full recap ⤵️

Pending General Council approval at next year’s AGM, Dr. Courtney Howard will serve as president-elect from May 2026 until May 2027, when she will become CMA president for a one-year term.

Dr. Courtney Howard affirmed as CMA president-elect nominee

🗳️The results are in: Dr. @courtghoward.bsky.social has been elected as the CMA president-elect nominee for 2026-27, subject to approval at the 2026 #CMAagm.

As an ER physician and chair of the @gchalliance.bsky.social, Dr. Howard is dedicated to ensuring the long-term well-being of all Canadians.

Northwest Territories: Want to have your say on who will be the CMA's next president-elect?

The polls are closing tomorrow (December 3) at 2:30 pm MT. This is your chance (CMA members in NWT, including residents and #MedEd students) to cast your vote.

🗳️ Learn more: bit.ly/47MfH5O

How can clinicians bring #climate into discussions with their patients, while supporting shared decision making?

Join @cmadocs.bsky.social and @choosingwiselyca.bsky.social for the final Climate Rounds of 2025 to discuss how we navigate these complex conversations.

Register here: loom.ly/z9vnLXU

Canadian doctors predict government actions will reduce access to health care New data from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) show that Canadian physicians are sounding the alarm over government decisions threatening the health care system. The findings reveal doctors’ wid...

New CMA data shows rising concern among physicians about recent government decisions impacting patient care, trust and workforce stability.

84% are following developments closely, and many fear worsening recruitment, retention and care quality.

News release 👇

The pros and cons of AI in health care — and why we need safeguards now

While the role of #AI in health care is still evolving, experts agree on one thing: it’s here to stay, and we need to start talking about coherent frameworks for its use sooner than later.

Read the recap from CMA’s recent event with
@umontreal.ca on the innovation of AI in #CDNhealth.

CMA Awards and Nominations Now more than ever, we need to do health differently. The Canadian Medical Association’s annual awards celebrate changemakers from across the country for their significant contributions to health, health care and the medical profession. Recipients of the CMA Awards come from different career stages, specialties and backgrounds, and from rural and remote areas as well as big cities. They also reflect the diversity of the profession and the communities we serve.

Reminder! There’s still time to nominate someone for the 2026 #CMAawards 🌟
The deadline has been extended to Dec. 19. Help us recognize an outstanding physician, medical learner or non-physician contributor.
Submit today ⬇️

Reducing mandatory sick notes The practice of requiring mandatory sick notes from doctors by employers in Canada adds additional burden on our health system.

Sick notes put additional strain on already overburdened providers, reducing access to care and potentially leading to longer wait times for appointments. We need to address this issue across all provinces.

Learn more 👇

Funding for Doctors Manitoba's sick notes project was made possible by the Canadian Medical Association, MD Financial Management Inc. and Scotiabank as part of the Health Care Unburdened Grant program.

Manitoba looks to end sick notes unless employee absent for 1 week | CBC News Doctors are sick of filing sick notes for minor illnesses — and the Manitoba government is heeding their advice.

Exceptional to see that the #Manitoba government will be eliminating sick notes for any absences of 7 consecutive days or less. This is a massive step forward in minimizing administrative burden for physicians, so they can spend quality time with patients.

Voting is now open 🗳️

From Nov. 19 to Dec. 3, CMA members from the NWT have the opportunity to vote on whether to affirm Dr. Howard as the sole candidate. The affirmation will be carried if the majority of votes are cast in her favour.

Learn more: bit.ly/47MfH5O

Meet CMA's 2027-28 President-Elect Candidate | Dr. Courtney Howard Meet Dr. Courtney Howard, the sole candidate for the CMA president-elect nominee from the Northwest Territories. Drawing on her experience as an emergency physician and a global leader in planetary health, Dr. Howard aims to drive critical health care reform and advocate for a thriving health workforce. To learn more, visit: https://www.cma.ca/about-us/who-we-are/presidency/2027-28-cma-presidency

Meet Dr. Courtney Howard – the sole candidate from the Northwest Territories for the 2027-28 CMA presidency.

Dr. Howard is an emergency physician, president of the Northwest Territories Medical Association and chair of the @gchalliance.bsky.social.

Get to know @courtghoward.bsky.social 👇

The CMA is deeply disappointed that the Alberta government has invoked the notwithstanding clause to interfere in the clinical care of patients.
Our statement ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4i3bOxY

Public and private health care The Canadian Medical Association conducted a series of national consultations to inform our policy on public and private health care.

The CMA spent a year studying public and private health models and consulting with more than 10,000 Canadians on the balance between the two. The evidence is clear: where a parallel private health system operates, both health outcomes and access to care are worse.

Learn more 👇

Alberta’s private health proposal will leave more Albertans waiting longer for care: CMA Doctors across Canada are deeply concerned that the Alberta government’s proposed private care plan will leave more Albertans waiting even longer to access health care.

Doctors across Canada are deeply concerned that the #Alberta government’s proposed private care plan will leave more Albertans waiting even longer to access health care. The CMA is calling on the government to reconsider this proposal, and focus on known solutions to support public health care.

The theme of #ICPH2026 (hosted by @bma.org.uk alongside @cmadocs.bsky.social and @ama-assn.org) is finding sustainable strategies for a healthy and fulfilling medical career. Do you have insights to share? We encourage you to submit abstracts by Feb. 2, 2026.

Submit here: bit.ly/49Zbbnd

Today for #LouisRielDay, we honour one of Canada’s most influential Métis leaders – a man whose courage and advocacy shaped the foundation of self-determination. His legacy calls us to listen, to learn, and to walk alongside #Indigenous communities in building a more equitable future of health care.

Is AI the antidote to the overwhelming paperwork in medicine? Doctors spend millions of hours a year on unnecessary paperwork. The rise of AI in health care is one possible solution to tackle administrative burden.

AI is being hailed as the biggest leap in medicine since antibiotics. In addition to fast-tracking research and transforming health care delivery, #AI can cut through the relentless paperwork that fuels physician burnout. But every new technology comes with risks.

Read more 👇

How do we balance the innovation of #AI in health with potential risks?

Join us on Nov. 12 for an event with @umontreal.ca, where we will hear from speakers on how health innovation, research and ethics intersect when assessing the success of AI in Canadian health care.

Register: bit.ly/47O3LSa

Canada can regain measles elimination status if we all work together: CMA The Canadian Medical Association is disappointed and deeply concerned that Canada has lost its measles elimination status from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The CMA is disappointed and deeply concerned that Canada has lost its #measles elimination status from the Pan American Health Organization. We echo the Public Health Agency of Canada: the measles vaccine is the best way to protect you and your family.

Let's work together to keep measles at bay.

Why physicians in Quebec are outraged over Bill 2 In the early hours on Saturday, Oct. 25, without meaningful debate, the Quebec government adopted Bill 2 — legislation to overhaul compensation for doctors in the province, introducing what critics de...

On Oct. 25, the Quebec government adopted #Bill2 — a law to overhaul compensation for doctors in the province and fines up to $20,000 a day for “concerted action” protesting the changes.

Here’s why Quebec doctors are up in arms, and why the CMA is standing by them.

We also recognize the thousands of Indigenous Veterans across Canada for their valiant service, the barriers they faced and the injustices they endured, all in pursuit of a freedom they were so often denied themselves. The Canadian Medical Association is committed to doing better.

Jimmy Durocher (Métis Elder) (he/him) Born, raised and currently living in the Red River Métis settlement of Île-à-la-Crosse, Sask.

Our work on Indigenous health is guided by a group of First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders, experts, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. One of the Indigenous Guiding Circle members is Jimmy Durocher, a Métis Elder and Veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Today we recognize Elder Jimmy.

For National Indigenous Veterans Day, we take time to commemorate the unique contributions and sacrifices of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in military service. The Canadian Medical Association is committed to amplifying Indigenous voices in its path toward #reconciliation.

Today for International Inuit Day, we take time to celebrate the identities, languages and cultures of Inuit across the globe. The CMA is committed to partnering with Inuit organizations and amplifying Inuit voices, understanding this is a fundamental piece of our journey toward #reconciliation.

The CMA is ready to work with every level of government to use every tool in our collective toolbox to improve #AccessToCare.