Message from the Minister of Health and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health on National Physicians’ Day

Today is National Physicians’ Day, a day to recognize the tremendous contributions that physicians and medical residents make every day to support the health and wellbeing of people across Canada.

May 1, 2023

Today is National Physicians' Day, a day to recognize the tremendous contributions that physicians and medical residents make every day to support the health and wellbeing of people across Canada.

Over the past few years, physicians carried an even greater burden. Like so many of our frontline health care workers, they have worked long hours, suffered burnout and fatigue at increasing rates, and faced threats and harassment as they cared for their patients.

If you are a physician who is struggling, or recognize others who are, know that free online mental health and substance use resources are available. Visit the Wellness Together Canada portal or download its companion app PocketWell. These services can help support you, as you support others.

We know there is an urgent need to address the current health workers crisis and without a sustainable, efficient, and resilient health workforce, Canadians cannot access and receive the quality care they need, when and where they need it. The Government of Canada is committed to protecting and strengthening Canada's universal and publicly funded health care system, so that physicians have both the time and resources they need to provide the best care possible.

We are working with provinces and territories, as well as the Coalition for Action for Health Workers and other key partners to address health workforce challenges. Budget 2023 outlined the Government of Canada's plan to invest close to $200 billion to improve health care for Canadians, which includes a focus on efforts to support a resilient health workforce through retention, recruitment, and planning. Additionally, it will support more team-based models of care and leverage new technologies to improve access to health services for Canadians and support our health workforce in doing their jobs.

We have also expanded the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness program for doctors and nurses who work in underserved rural or remote communities and introduced measures to facilitate the entry of foreign national physicians as permanent residents. These important actions along with the significant investments in Budget 2023, and the ongoing work with provinces, territories, and health partners, will help us to continue to identify both immediate and longer-term solutions to address the challenges that health workers face.

Today, we recognize the tremendous work that physicians provide to us to support our wellbeing. To all physicians - you are a source of inspiration and hope to your patients, their families, and all Canadians. On behalf of the Government of Canada, thank you for everything you do.

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, P.C., M.P.

Contacts

Guillaume Bertrand
Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Maja Staka 
Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary 
Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett 
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health 
343-552-5568

Media Relations 
Health Canada 
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca