The Government of Ontario is moving ahead with its Primary Care Action Plan by investing $4.5 million to expand access to family doctors and primary care providers across Parry Sound–Muskoka.
The funding, announced this week, is expected to connect up to 10,447 residents in the region to primary care this year, part of the province’s broader goal of ensuring every Ontarian has access to a family doctor or primary care team by 2029.
“This funding will help our local health teams create more spaces for patients and recruit more doctors and nurse practitioners,” said Graydon Smith. “While there is still more work to do, this is another important step forward.”
The largest share of the investment—$2.13 million—will go to the Cottage Country Family Health Team, which serves South Muskoka and is expected to connect more than 6,000 patients to care.
Other allocations include:
- $1.14 million for the West Parry Sound Health Centre Rural Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic to support more than 2,000 patients
- $620,100 for the Algonquin Family Health Team and the North Muskoka Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, helping connect approximately 1,680 residents
- $615,900 for the Wasauksing First Nation Health Department, supporting access for 656 patients
Each organization will establish its own intake process to accept new patients, with a focus on connecting those currently without a primary care provider, including people on the Health Care Connect waitlist.
The announcement comes as the province reports it has already exceeded its 2025–26 target under the Primary Care Action Plan. As of January 1, 2026, more than 330,000 Ontarians had been connected to care—surpassing the original goal by over 30,000.
“By connecting more families to care in Parry Sound and Muskoka, we are taking the next step toward ensuring everyone in Ontario has access to primary care,” said Sylvia Jones.
The province has committed $3.4 billion to the plan between 2025 and 2029, with 124 teams expected to connect an additional 500,000 patients across Ontario.
Local health leaders say the funding will strengthen collaboration among providers, expand staffing, and improve long-term health outcomes by ensuring more residents have consistent, team-based care closer to home.
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