Newly-independent Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha is pushing the provincial government to address the Northern physician shortage.
Speaking during Question Period, Mantha pressed Health Minister Sylvia Jones about the issue, saying "rural and Northern communities are especially struggling to ensure residents have access to a physician and primary care", noting his office "is constantly hearing from individuals and families who are waiting 2, 3, 4, or more years to be matched with a family doctor".
Mantha also pointed to research from the Ontario College of Family Physicians - which found 2.2-million Ontarians are currently without a family doctor - and a pre-budget submission from the Ontario Medical Association - which warned the North's short 350 family doctors and specialists, which is up from the shortfall of 325 last year - with Mantha warning "physicians are trying their best to service their communities but without help from this government, they are burning out and are being left no choice but to close their practice".