Saskatchewan Faces Worst Family Doctor Access Crisis in Canada
A comprehensive new survey from the Angus Reid Institute has revealed troubling statistics about healthcare access in Saskatchewan, positioning the province as having the most severe family doctor shortage in the country. The findings, released in early February 2026, paint a concerning picture of a healthcare system under significant strain.
Alarming Statistics on Physician Access
The survey data collected in December shows that 22 percent of Saskatchewan residents currently lack a family doctor entirely, representing the highest percentage among all Canadian provinces. This marks a notable increase from September 2015, when only 16 percent of Saskatchewan residents reported having no family physician.
Even among those fortunate enough to have a family doctor, access remains problematic. The survey indicates that 41 percent of Saskatchewan residents with a family physician experience difficulty obtaining appointments or timely care. This represents a significant jump from the 35 percent who reported access issues in 2015.
National Context and Comparative Analysis
When viewed against national averages, Saskatchewan's healthcare challenges become even more pronounced. Across Canada, 18 percent of people report having no family doctor, with 32 percent experiencing access difficulties. Both figures are substantially lower than Saskatchewan's statistics, highlighting the province's unique challenges.
The historical comparison reveals a concerning trend. In 2015, national statistics showed 16 percent of Canadians without a family doctor and 24 percent with access issues, indicating that while problems have grown nationwide, they have accelerated more dramatically in Saskatchewan.
Emergency Care Confidence Crisis
Beyond primary care access, the survey uncovered significant concerns about emergency medical services. Among the 363 Saskatchewan residents surveyed, 63 percent expressed limited confidence in their ability to access emergency care when needed, describing themselves as "not that confident." Only 34 percent reported being "very confident" in emergency service accessibility.
Nationally, these concerns are somewhat less pronounced but still substantial, with 59 percent of Canadians expressing limited confidence in emergency care access and 38 percent reporting high confidence levels.
Political Response and Analysis
The survey results became a focal point at a recent NDP news conference held outside St. Paul's Hospital. Meara Conway, the NDP's health critic, emphasized the foundational importance of family doctors within the healthcare system, stating that their absence represents a critical system failure.
"There is something we are doing specifically poorly in Saskatchewan," Conway remarked, highlighting the province's unique challenges compared to national averages.
Jared Clarke, the NDP critic for rural and remote health, connected the emergency service strain directly to the family doctor shortage, noting that rural health centre closures due to staffing shortages exacerbate the problem by forcing more residents to rely on emergency departments for primary care.
Demographic Challenges and Systemic Issues
Conway acknowledged the broader demographic pressures facing healthcare systems across Canada, particularly the aging population. With 19.5 percent of Canadians now over 65—a significant increase from 16 percent in 2015—the demand for healthcare services has grown substantially.
"We just haven't planned for that unfortunately when you look at the state of homecare and long term care," Conway observed, suggesting that systemic planning failures have contributed to current access challenges.
Path Forward and Proposed Solutions
The opposition party indicated they are developing a comprehensive healthcare plan to address these issues, with details expected in the coming months. Conway emphasized that feedback from healthcare professionals and system users has revealed numerous potential solutions.
"I don't actually believe we have a spending issue in healthcare; it's a question of our priorities and investing in some things that are actually going to work," she stated, suggesting that strategic reallocation of resources rather than simply increased spending might provide the most effective path forward.
The survey results highlight a healthcare access crisis in Saskatchewan that extends beyond simple physician numbers to encompass confidence in emergency services and systemic planning challenges. As the province grapples with these issues, residents continue to face significant barriers to obtaining timely, appropriate medical care.
