Family doctors play a crucial role in the health care system. They’re often the first point of care for patients when they’re unwell, and in many small and rural communities across Canada, they provide vital frontline care.
Today, family physicians represent nearly half the doctors in the country.
Supporting family physicians and the work they do is important to the profession of family medicine and to patients, and for this reason, the CMA, along with MD Financial Management and Scotiabank, is proud to provide $3.58 million in funding to the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and its Foundation for Advancing Family Medicine (FAFM).
“Family medicine is the backbone of primary care in Canada, and we must seize every opportunity to connect the profession, celebrate its contributions to patient care and enable professional development.” - Dr. Gigi Osler, CMA president
This funding, to be spread over five years, will be used to bolster today’s family physicians through professional development and recognition, including support for the CFPC’s Family Medicine Forum, the country’s largest gathering of family physicians.
It will also encourage the next generation of family doctors, helping to fund family medicine interest groups at medical schools and a series of awards and scholarships for students and residents − with specific support for Indigenous students and residents, a population currently underrepresented in medicine.
“We’re very grateful for this generous support to help us further enhance our work, create new opportunities to celebrate outstanding achievements, and encourage a strong future in family medicine for Canadians.” - Dr. Paul Sawchuk, CFPC President
The CFPC has more than 38,000 members and is committed to meeting the evolving health care needs of Canadian communities and beyond. The CFPC provides high-quality services, supports family medicine teaching and research, and advocates on behalf of the specialty of family medicine, family physicians, and the patients they serve.
The FAFM funds programs and projects in family medicine and supports numerous research grants, scholarships, and awards that recognize the achievements of clinicians, teachers, researchers, family medicine residents, and medical students.
About Affinity contributions
Scotiabank, MD Financial Management (MD) and the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) together are firmly committed to supporting the medical profession and advancing health in Canada. As proof of this commitment, and in collaboration with the CMA and MD, Scotiabank will invest $115 million over the next 10 years to support physicians and the communities they serve across Canada.