NOSM University, U of T get $123K from province to train physician assistants in North

The Ontario government is investing $123,000 to support the development of a dedicated Northern Stream for Physician Assistant education through the Consortium of Physician Assistant Education, a partnership between NOSM University and the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

The investment will help expand PA training opportunities in Northern Ontario and build a stronger health workforce in communities where access to care continues to be a challenge.

The new Northern Stream is expected to welcome its first cohort of six students in the 2027–28 academic year, with plans to grow to 10 students. Importantly, students in the stream will be able to complete most of their clinical rotations in Northern Ontario, giving them the opportunity to train directly in the communities they may eventually serve.

Funding will also support the recruitment of Regional Liaisons, including practising PAs who will help develop clinical training opportunities, engage PAs as preceptors and connect with prospective students from Northern and rural communities.

For CAPA, investments in PA education are an important part of building a sustainable health workforce. Training more PAs, particularly in rural, remote and underserved communities, can help strengthen collaborative health-care teams and improve access to care for patients.

Expanding where PAs are trained also creates opportunities for students to build relationships with local health-care teams and communities early in their careers, helping create a stronger pathway from education to practice.

CAPA welcomes continued investment in PA education and opportunities that help grow the profession and ensure more Canadians can benefit from the care PAs provide.

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