Canada’s emergency departments are sounding another alarm. That is an emergency medicine story, and a health system story

2026-07-28

A new CMAJ report highlights that one in 10 emergency physicians have left emergency departments in Canada, while many others are cutting back hours or taking time off just to cope with burnout.

Many thousands of College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) family physician members practise in emergency departments, including over 4,000 with a certificate of added competency in emergency medicine. The report facts are distressing, and embolden our advocacy for systems to minimize the burden placed on physicians trying to serve their patients and communities. We also see the same affecting many family doctors in primary care and recognize the undeniable consequences for emergency rooms. When people in Canada cannot access timely primary care, the pressure does not disappear. It shifts to emergency departments, where patients often arrive after problems have already become more complex and more costly. This is why the CFPC continues to advocate for better family practice environments that include fair pay, less paperwork, and access to team-based care.

Canada needs to support its emergency physicians and family doctors. Investing in them is investing in health care.

Michael Allan, MD, CCFP, FCFP
Chief Executive Officer