International and non-local recruitment efforts have played a significant role in boosting the number of doctors registered to practice in Manitoba, according to the latest report from the province’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. The report, released on Thursday, revealed a net increase of 164 doctors between April 30, 2024, and April 30, 2025, bringing the total number of doctors in the province to 3,498.
This surge marks the largest net gain in doctors since at least 2001, as per historical data available from past College of Physicians reports. Jeremy de Jong, the director of registration at the regulatory body, highlighted that this growth appears to be a record-setting achievement based on the information at hand.
Factors contributing to this uptick include the expansion of medical school and residency positions in recent years, along with targeted recruitment initiatives both domestically and internationally. These efforts aim to enhance training programs, attract new talent, and improve retention rates, as stated by de Jong.
In the previous reporting period of 2023-24, the college reported a net gain of 133 doctors, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. The latest report indicated that 302 new doctors registered with the college by April 30, 2025, with over half (167) holding medical degrees from outside Canada.
Among the new registrants, approximately an equal number received their medical degrees in Manitoba (70) and elsewhere in Canada (67). Dr. Nichelle Desilets, president of Doctors Manitoba, expressed enthusiasm and optimism about the streamlined application process for international medical graduates and the success of training programs facilitating their practice in the province.
However, Desilets also noted that while the influx of internationally trained doctors is positive, more locally trained physicians could contribute to the healthcare system if they chose to remain in Manitoba post-graduation.
Dr. Peter Nickerson, the dean of health sciences at the University of Manitoba’s Max Rady College of Medicine, emphasized that the reported figures do not encompass the latest cohort of graduates and that residency lengths can impact annual variations. Nickerson mentioned that a higher percentage of graduates from the university opt to complete their residency training in Manitoba, with a notable retention rate among family medicine residents.
According to the college’s report, out of the total 3,498 doctors in the province, 1,672 were family physicians, 1,754 were specialists, and 72 were residents with full certification. This recent surge in doctor registrations reflects positive growth in Manitoba’s healthcare landscape.
