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Ottawa Pledges Up to $6 Million to Train 90 More Family Doctors in Manitoba
Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced on October 14 in Winnipeg that Ottawa will provide up to $6 million to expand Manitoba's Practice Ready Assessment Program, aiming for up to 90 more family doctors within three years, with a focus on rural, northern and Indigenous communities.
Why it matters
Canada's family-doctor shortage is chronic, and rural and northern communities feel it most. This is Ottawa's second fast-track funding commitment for internationally trained physicians in a week — after the October 7 pledge of $20 million and 200 spots for Ontario — showing the federal government is teaming up with provinces to shorten the path to a licence and relieve pressure on primary care.
The announcement
At 11:30 AM CDT on October 14 at the Manitoba Legislative Building in Winnipeg, federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel and Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced Ottawa will provide up to $6 million to expand Manitoba's Practice Ready Assessment Program (PRA-MB). The goal: up to 90 additional family doctors practising within three years, ready by 2028–29, with a focus on rural, northern and Indigenous communities.
How the fast track works
The PRA-MB family-practice stream (PRA-MB-FP) allows eligible internationally trained physicians to become licensed through a three-month Family Practice Assessment instead of years of residency. Minister Asagwara said the new spots will prioritize expanding access to care in rural and northern communities.
Context
The announcement follows Health Canada's October 7 pledge of $20 million for up to 200 additional fast-track licensing spots for family doctors in Ontario. Federal, provincial and territorial health ministers are also set to meet in Winnipeg on October 15–16 to discuss health funding.
Sources
Health Canada media advisory (canada.ca, October 13, 2026); CIC News (October 14, 2026); Winnipeg Free Press (October 14, 2026).
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