Manitoba adds record number of doctors, but retirements, migration threaten ranks

Doctors Manitoba says the province saw a record-breaking net gain of new physicians in the province, but concerns remain. CTV’s Jeff Keele explains.

New data shows Manitoba attracted more doctors to the province over the last two years but high rates of relocations and anticipated retirements could threaten the province’s ranks.

The stats were revealed Thursday in Doctors Manitoba’s annual report, which draws on provincial data and national reporting from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).

According to the report, Manitoba had a net increase of 164 doctors in 2025, marking a 2.5 per cent improvement over 2024 and the largest increase on record.

That means Manitoba boasts the fourth lowest number of physicians per capita among Canadian provinces. British Columbia tops the ranking with 271, followed by Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

While the stats look good on paper, Doctors Manitoba President Dr. Nichelle Desilets warns new recruits aren’t evenly distributed between urban and rural settings or specialties in need.

“My colleagues down the road are still feeling strapped. They’re glad there are more doctors but if it’s not helping them and their patients in that community, that tells me that there’s still a long way to go,” she said.

The rise was driven primarily by out-of-province graduates, Doctors Manitoba said, with 162 international graduates and three from the United States joining the province’s health-care system in the 2024-25 year.

Breaking the data down further, Manitoba reported 112 family physicians per capita – the second lowest in Canada, with only Ontario reporting a lower figure.

Meanwhile, the province had 113 specialists per capita based on 2024 data – the third lowest in Canada ahead of Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island.

Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia recorded the three highest rates, respectively.

Manitoba expected to lose 710 doctors over next 3 years

Doctors Manitoba also warns physician retention is at risk.

Reporting from 2024 shows Manitoba lost 8.3 doctors for every 1,000 due to interprovincial outmigration – the second worst performance of all provinces. Manitoba is also one of only four Canadian provinces to report net losses.

Plus, Manitoba is projected to lose 710 physicians, or 21 per cent, over the next three years due to retirements and relocations. This marks a decrease from last year but has still not improved over 2022 data.

The number of Manitoba physicians considering relocating to other jurisdictions was unchanged at 10 per cent, 2025 Doctors Manitoba survey found. The majority polled, 55 per cent, plan to practice in British Columbia, while 38 per cent and 35 per cent plan to move to Alberta and Ontario, respectively.

Of those planning to leave or reduce practice, 74 per cent cited systemic or institutional causes.

The report showed 48 per cent of respondents polled cited systemic frustrations as their motivation for leaving, with burnout at 41 per cent and 36 per cent indicating they do not feel valued.

Additionally, only 60 per cent of students or residents currently practicing are planning to stay. Forty per cent are planning or open to leaving.

The top reasons cited were frustration with systemic issues, excessive administrative burden and better recruitment incentives.

More consultation, investment needed: Doctors Manitoba

Doctor Desilets said Manitoba’s retention risk is concerning, as keeping doctors here is as important as recruiting them.

Adding to this—physician shortages are a nationwide issue, meaning every province is trying to strengthen their health-care ranks.

“That means other provinces are potentially recruiting Manitoba physicians, so there might be competitive opportunities elsewhere.”

To tackle Manitoba’s retention risk, Doctors Manitoba said several steps are already underway, like the new physicians agreement and new and expanded support services.

Still, the group wants more done to improve physician consultation and engagement, expand team-based care, and add investments in facilities and equipment—measures Dr. Desilets said they have been actively pushing the province for.

“There’s also other aspects to physician recruitment and retention that we’ve been advocating actively for with the government that we hope that they will lend an ear to soon,” she said.

‘Changing that trend takes time’

Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said the numbers are moving in the right direction, but more work is needed.

“It’s not at the level of improvement that we want to see but we know that changing that trend takes time,” they said.

They noted changes brought in by the NDP since forming government in 2023, like restoring the rural physician retention and recruitment fund and expanding residency training seats, have moved the needle in the right direction.

Still, Asagwara said the province is committed to continuing to consult health-care workers on the front lines to inform the government’s next steps.

“I certainly welcome any and all opportunities to continue to listen to physicians.”

The full report can be read on Doctors Manitoba’s website.