Directing staff to investigate and develop a strategy to attract US-trained physicians to Peterborough

Councillor Votes

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b) WHEREAS Canada is experiencing a significant increase in interest from U.S.- trained physicians seeking to relocate, driven by factors such as political instability, healthcare policy changes, and professional constraints in the United States; WHEREAS The Medical Council of Canada has reported a 583% increase in U.S. medical graduates initiating the licensure process between October 2024 and March 2025 compared to the same period the previous year; WHEREAS Provinces like British Columbia and Manitoba have proactively streamlined credential recognition and launched targeted recruitment campaigns to attract these physicians; WHEREAS the City of Peterborough is currently facing a shortage of healthcare professionals, impacting the accessibility and quality of care for our residents; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City Council directs staff to: 1. Investigate the current trend of US physicians relocating to Canada, including motivations and barriers; 2. Assess the feasibility of developing a local strategy to attract US trained physicians to Peterborough, potentially in collaboration with provincial health authorities and medical recruitment agencies; 3. Report back to Council with findings and recommendations for potential actions to enhance physician recruitment to our city.