Ontario announced a new medical school at York University. Here’s what we know so far
The Ontario government released new details about York University’s recently announced medical school in Vaughan on Wednesday.
The school was first announced in Premier Doug Ford’s 2024 budget last week; however details were sparse, with officials saying only that $9 million was being put aside for planning.
The government also said this will be the first medical school in Canada primarily focused on training family doctors.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
On Wednesday, the government said the school will host up to 80 undergraduate students and up to 102 postgraduate students starting in 2028.
Once the school is “operating at full capacity,” officials say it could open up 240 undergraduate seats and 293 postgraduate seats annually.
About 70 per cent of those postgraduate training seats will be dedicated to primary care.
"These new seats at York University, they represent Ontario's doctors of the future," the premier said while speaking in Vaughan, Ont.
"The students that will graduate from here will be the next generation of health care professionals at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, in our long term care homes and community settings, and at clinics in Vaughan and throughout our province."
The government cited “modelling” that indicates this school, in addition to other initiatives to expand primary care teams, will help “connect up to 98 per cent of people in Ontario to primary care in the next several years.”
It’s unclear why York University was chosen as the partner institution for this new endeavour, as a December auditor general report found that an overreliance on international students and steadily decreasing domestic enrolment was putting the institution at financial risk.
When the new school was announced, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said he was not concerned about the university’s financial situation.
“I know York will do an amazing job,” he said.
Ford reiterated that York University had the government's full support.
"You could go to any area, any sector, any hospital or any university, and start poking holes in it," he said.
"I'll tell you, York University's one of the top universities in my opinion"
This is a developing news story. More to come.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.