Our Advocacy

Our Advocacy

The CFPC advocates for family physicians by working with national health care organizations, government officials, and decision makers. Our advocacy priorities are shaped by what we hear from our members.
- Physician burnout has almost doubled since pre-pandemic levels
- Family physicians are feeling overworked, undervalued, and excluded from government decision making
- Dedicated administrative support is needed to afford family doctors more time for the most meaningful aspect of their work: caring for patients
- Workforce crisis
- See the CFPC’s series of policy recommendations to address the health human resource workforce crisis
- Access to care
- Almost five million people do not have a regular health care provider
- The CFPC has championed the need for a Primary Care Integration Fund to support rapid expansion of access to high-quality care
- Inflation has increased the cost of overhead for family practices and family physicians are absorbing these higher costs out of billings
- The CFPC calls for fair compensation and alternative remuneration options to better support family physicians and facilitate team-based, comprehensive care as described in the Patient’s Medical Home vision.
Our members’ concerns are important to us—please share your priorities and make your voice heard.
For provincial-level advocacy, please refer to our Chapters.
Government Relations
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Health Workforce report recommendations are sound, now is the time for decisive action
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Family Doctors are the Heart of Primary Care
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Federal proposal on health care funding has merit, but dollars alone won’t fix what ails us
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The CFPC submits recommendations for the 2023 federal budget
The CFPC has presented a set of recommendations to the federal government to address the crisis in our health care system and alleviate the pressure on our health workforce.
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The CFPC met with MPs from all federal political parties throughout 2022 to discuss access to care and the health workforce crisis
The CFPC met with members of the Standing Committee on Health, other federal MPs, and cabinet Ministers, including Marcus Powlowski, Michael Barrett, Matthew Green, Dr. Stephen Ellis, Don Davies, Laila Goodridge, Brendan Hanley and The Hon. Mike Lake. We have also met with the Minister of Health The Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, as well as the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health The Hon. Carolyn Bennett.
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The College of Family Physicians, the Canadian Nurses Association, and the Canadian Medical Association submit briefing to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health
This jointly-created set of policy recommendations illustrates the issues of the health human resources workforce crisis and outlines areas for federal investment to bolster the foundations of our struggling health care system.
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The CFPC present to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA)
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The CFPC responds to the federal Budget 2022
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Family physicians continue providing care despite burnout, COVID-19 challenges
A new series of polls commissioned by the CFPC find that despite COVID-19-related challenges, Canada’s family physicians continue to provide access to care with both in-person and virtual appointments. The public poll featured responses from 2,005 adults in Canada, while the family physician poll featured responses from 851 CFPC family physician members.
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The CFPC submits recommendations for the 2022 federal budget
The CFPC has submitted a series of recommendations to inform the federal government’s 2022 budget. The recommendations focus on enhancing access to primary care with a series of funding initiatives, continuing to call for the implementation of a universal national pharmacare program, and funding health-related spending to support Indigenous and rural communities.
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The CFPC/Nanos poll shows people’s preference for accessing care from their regular family physician
A recent poll indicates people living in Canada prefer to receive care from their regular family physicians through either in-person or virtual appointments if they can be seen in a timely fashion. However, this preference erodes as wait times grow. View the poll results.
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The CFPC response to the federal budget
Federal Budget 2021 misses the opportunity to strengthen primary care. Read the information release.
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Letter from MP Don Davies to the Minister of Finance in support of the CFPC’s call for a Primary Health Care Transition Fund
The CFPC is pleased to report that NDP Health Critic Don Davies has written to the Minister of Finance to advocate for Canada’s investment into a dedicated $1.2 billion Primary Health Care Transition Fund. The letter outlines the need for greater investment into primary care, the proven benefits of the Patient’s Medical Home vison, and how increased support now can decrease long-term costs to the health system. Read MP Davies’ letter. (March 1, 2021).
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The CFPC letter of support for Bill C-123, introducing the Canada Pharmacare Act
The CFPC supports a national pharmacare program based on universal access and embraces the principles of comprehensiveness, universality, and equality. Read our letter to MP Peter Julian. (December 3, 2020)
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Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau in advance of the Speech from the Throne
The CFPC has written to the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reiterate its key health care priorities and provide recommendations in advance of the upcoming Speech from the Throne. The CFPC encouraged continued progress containing COVID-19 and mitigating adverse effects on health and well-being of people across Canada. Read our letter to Prime Minister Trudeau. (August 31, 2020).
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The CFPC letter to Alberta Health Minister to support family doctors
The CFPC and the Alberta College of Family Physicians stand together on advocacy efforts to encourage the Alberta government to continue productive negotiations with the Alberta Medical Association. CFPC President Dr. Shirley Schipper sent a letter to Alberta’s Health Minister to oppose unilateral cuts, and to rebuild working relationships. Read the letter to Alberta’s Health Minister. (August 21, 2020).
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The CFPC outlines important actions for supporting family physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic in a letter to Canada’s Minister of Health
The CFPC commends the Minister of Health for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and provides messages to be shared with the people of Canada about continuing to receive care from family physicians. Read our letter.
2023
2022
2021
2020
See all government relations outreach documents from 2012 to present in our archives.
Position Statements
2023
2022
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Position Statement on Locum Availability in Canada
As access to care is a growing problem in Canada, national licensure could rapidly address obstacles to primary care, prevent physician burnout, and avoid further staffing shortages.
Read the CFPC’s statement. -
The CFPC commits to equity and humility in Indigenous health
On November 10, 2022, the College of Family Physicians of Canada™ (CFPC), with the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, signed a formal Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility in Health Services Delivery for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis People in Canada.
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Position Statement on Workforce Supply for Family Medicine in Canada
Canada is facing an alarming shortage of family doctors. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost five million people in Canada did not have a regular health care provider.
Read the CFPC’s statement. -
Position Statement on Physician Burnout in Canada
More than 60 per cent of family physicians have indicated worsening mental health since the onset of the pandemic, attributed to increased workload, a lack of work-life balance, and other challenges.
Read the CFPC’s statement. -
Position Statement on Administrative Support for Family Medicine in Canada
Family physicians are skilled generalists who provide high-quality, community responsive, and adaptive care across the life cycle, yet too much of their time is spent on administrative tasks and paperwork.
Read the CFPC’s statement. -
CFPC Statement: Remembering Joyce Echaquan on September 28th
September 28th marks the second anniversary of the preventable death of Joyce Echaquan, an Atikamekw woman, who died during a hospital stay in 2020 as a result of systemic racism.
Read the CFPC’s statement.
2021
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Strengthening Health Care – Access Done Right Position Statement
Access to high-quality comprehensive continuous primary care close to home is a foundational component of an effective health care system. Read our position statement, Access Done Right.
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Joint Position Statement on the Role of Family Physicians in Long-Term Care Homes
The Joint Position Statement on the Role of Family Physicians in Long-Term Care Homes, produced in partnership with the Canadian Society for Long-Term Care Medicine, addresses current challenges in long-term care and calls for system-wide improvements across Canada. View the statement.
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Joint position statement calling for funding to strengthen primary care
The CFPC, as part of a coalition of health care providers, released a joint statement calling for dedicated primary care funding in the federal budget and for the government to deliver on its commitment to ensure all people in Canada have access to a primary care provider. View the statement.
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Family physicians are key to Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout
The CFPC is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to highlight the role of family physicians as trusted advisers with their patients and their roles in COVID-19 vaccine administration. View the statement.
Policy Papers and Reports
2023
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Championing our members with new factsheet that demonstrates the value of family physicians
Family physicians: At the front of the line of primary care in Canada illustrates family physicians’ vital role in Canada’s health care system. See the impact family physicians are making. See references here.
2022
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Interprofessional Primary Care Teams: A literature review of potential international best practices
The CFPC has released a commissioned report investigating the available evidence about international best practices in implementing interprofessional primary care teams. Read the full report here and the separate executive summary here.
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The Value of Socially Accountable Care—Investing in primary health care that supports pandemic recovery, promotes health equity, and improves health outcomes
The CFPC Social Accountability Working Group has produced a policy brief about the value of socially accountable care and how it can be implemented.
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Buying Access Will Cost You: The Unintended Consequences of For-Profit Virtual Care
The CFPC is responding to the use of for-profit virtual care services in Canada with a new report.
2021
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The Value of Continuity—Investment in Primary Care Saves Costs and Improves Lives
The CFPC has released an evidence summary demonstrating the importance of continuity of care and its influence on patient satisfaction, quality of life, and health outcomes.
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Virtual Care in the Patient’s Medical Home—New Report Available
This supplement to the Patient’s Medical Home vision spells out the important role of virtual care in supporting patients’ access to comprehensive and continuous care in a way that complements rather than replaces the in-person delivery of health care services.
2020
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The Patient’s Medical Neighbourhood—New Report Available
This latest Best Advice guide from the Patient’s Medical Home (PMH) offers recommendations for building interprofessional networks as part of the Patient’s Medical Neighbourhood.
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Patient’s Medical Home Summary of Evidence
To assess how aligning with the PMH vision affects the provision of care in family practices, an evidence summary was produced after a thorough literature review. Results indicate that alignment with PMH principles enhances patient access to care and increases patient and provider satisfaction without increasing health care costs.
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CanMEDS–Family Medicine (CanMEDS-FM) Indigenous Health Supplement
The Indigenous Health Committee at the CFPC has developed the CanMEDS-FM Indigenous Health Supplement, which outlines the expected competencies that will foster important knowledge, effective therapeutic interactions and culturally safe care of Indigenous patients, families and communities.
Archives
Related Resources
The College works with elected officials and federal decision-makers in these offices on policy issues of importance to family medicine.
The CFPC also serves as a resource for Provincial Chapters.