Councillors demand provincial action on Sault’s doctor shortage

In a last-minute addition to tonight's city council agenda, Ward 4 Coun. Marchy Bruni and Ward 1's Sonny Spina will urge the Ontario government to recognize and address Sault Ste. Marie's doctor shortage.

In a resolution to be presented tonight, the councillors will challenge a statement made by the provincial health ministry that "there is no concern of a diminished supply of physicians."

The statement was made in arbitration proceedings with the Ontario Medical Association over physician compensation.

"Across Canada, Ontario has the best record in attracting medical graduates to train in Ontario. Further, Ontario has enjoyed a growth in physicians that far outstrips population growth," the ministry argued.

Meanwhile, Sault Ste. Marie's Group Health Centre is preparing to de-roster 10,000 patients at the end of this month, including retired members of the United Steelworkers union who sacrificed to build a world-class health care institution here.

The following is the full text of the resolution the councillors will present.

Tonight's city council meeting will be live-streamed on SooToday starting at 5 p.m.

Physician shortage

Mover: Coun. M. Bruni
Seconder: Coun. S. Spina

Whereas the state of health care in Ontario is in crisis, with 2.3 million Ontarians lacking access to a family doctor, emergency room closures across the province, patients being de-rostered and 40 per cent of family doctors considering retirement over the next five years; and

Whereas the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University says communities in northern Ontario are short more than 350 physicians, including more than 200 family doctors; and half of the physicians working in northern Ontario are expected to retire in the next five years; and

Whereas the Ontario Medical Association and the Province of Ontario were negotiating a funding agreement to improve access, reduce wait times, and to help encourage physicians to enter the areas of practice most in need; and

Whereas the percentage of family physicians practising comprehensive family medicine has declined from 77 per cent in 2008 to 65 b per cent in 2022; and

Whereas per capita health-care spending in Ontario is the lowest of all provinces in Canada, and

Whereas the Government of Ontario recently submitted arguments to an arbitrator stating "there is no concern of a diminished supply of physicians," ignoring the real needs of communities across the province including Sault Ste. Marie and every Ontarian without access to a physician;

Now therefore be it resolved that the council of the City of Sault Ste. Marie urge the Province of Ontario to recognize the physician shortage in Sault Ste. Marie and Ontario, to fund health care appropriately, and ensure every Ontarian has access to physician care.