Joint Statement: BPAO & BPC on Ontario’s Revised IMG Residency Eligibility Policy
The Black Physicians’ Association of Ontario (BPAO) and Black Physicians of Canada (BPC) strongly oppose the Ontario Ministry of Health’s recent change to IMG residency eligibility criteria, which now requires two years of Ontario high school attendance for first-iteration eligibility.
This policy is arbitrary, inequitable, and risks deepening Ontario’s physician shortage.
We are calling for:
- An immediate pause on implementation
- Transparent consultation with affected stakeholders
- Evidence-based, equitable eligibility criteria
As organizations committed to fairness and inclusion in medicine, we stand with International Medical Graduates who strengthen our healthcare system and deserve equitable access to training opportunities.
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Published
October 22, 2025
Language
English