Admissions information for the Physician Assistant program is being updated. Details regarding future application cycles will be available later in the fall. We appreciate your patience as we continue to update our website.
PAs in Ontario
Physician Assistants (PAs) are highly trained healthcare professionals who work as part of physician-led teams to improve access to care, enhance continuity of service, and help meet the growing healthcare needs of patients and communities. Introduced in Ontario as part of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's 2006 Health Human Resources strategy, the PA profession was identified as an important solution for reducing wait times and improving access to primary care. Beginning in 2007, HealthForce Ontario pilot projects demonstrated the value of PAs across a variety of clinical settings throughout the province.
In Ontario, PAs work under the supervision of licensed physicians and perform delegated medical activities in accordance with their supervising physician's scope of practice and organizational policies. This collaborative model allows PAs to contribute across a broad range of healthcare environments while supporting safe, high-quality patient care. As of April 1, 2025, Physician Assistants are regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), reflecting the profession's continued growth and importance within the healthcare system.
Over the past two decades, PAs have demonstrated their ability to strengthen healthcare delivery by expanding physician capacity and improving patient access to care. Research has shown that PAs can help physicians see more patients, improve same-day access for urgent concerns, reduce wait times in emergency departments, and improve overall patient flow. Physician employers consistently report high levels of satisfaction with the contributions of PAs, and many indicate plans to continue expanding PA positions in their practices and healthcare organizations.
