Canadian Medical Association

04/28/2026

The CMA applauds the federal government’s move to streamline the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) application process, a meaningful step toward improving access to support.

This matters — 84% of people with disabilities don’t hold a DTC certificate.
Simplifying the process helps reduce for physicians and makes it easier for more Canadians to access the benefits they need.

There’s more to do to strengthen connected care, support Indigenous-led health programs and address the harms of false health information.
Together, we can build a healthy Canada.

Our statement ⬇️

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) applauds news that the federal government has responded to the concerns of doctors and their patients by streamlining the application process for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC).

04/28/2026

“Empathy and professionalism can coexist, as long as we can develop strategies for processing our emotions without letting them interfere with the care we provide.”

In this next chapter of CMA’s new series “Voices of the Profession,” Mélissa Délalie Houinsou, who moved to Canada in 2018 from Bénin, talks to the CMA about her medical school journey at McGill University, her role as a CMA Ambassador and the importance of finding creative outlets to maintain balance in life.

Mélissa Délalie Houinsou talks about her medical school journey and role as a CMA Ambassador.

04/23/2026

“The health of our mother, the Earth, is related to the health of every part of Creation. We must expand our approach to bringing the planet back into balance.” – Dr. Ojistoh Horn, president of the IPAC Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada.

Meaningful collaboration with Indigenous communities, whose expertise can guide decisions to protect and conserve the environment, is essential to that balance. That’s why the CMA is calling on the federal government to:

🌎 Support the passage of the First Nations Clean Water Act
🌎 Invest in health infrastructure
🌎 Include Indigenous communities in emergency preparedness planning
🌎 Ensure Indigenous communities have resources to respond to crises
🌎 Train local Indigenous health workers and emergency response teams

Read more 👇

More than

04/23/2026

A group of New Brunswick doctors say using an artificial intelligence (AI) scribe for clinical documentation is transforming the way they work, with 86% noticing a reduction in time spent on paperwork.

“I felt much less mental fatigue at the end of the day. Rather than spending 90 minutes charting ... I could simply go home as all of this work was done as I went along,” said one physician participant of the New Brunswick Medical Society pilot program.

Funding for this initiative was provided by the Health Care Unburdened Grant program in 2024, a joint partnership between the Canadian Medical Association, MD Financial Management Inc., and Scotiabank.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4tWtrEK

04/21/2026

99% of physicians say disconnected health systems are affecting patient care.

In a joint survey by the Canadian Medical Association and Abacus Data, physicians pointed to the real impact of fragmented systems.

When patient records, test results and clinical notes can’t be easily shared, care is delayed and risks increase. Nearly half of doctors report seeing serious adverse outcomes as a result.

At the same time, 97% have had to step in to prevent harm after patients followed false or misleading health information online.
Better data sharing and trusted information aren’t optional. They’re essential to safe, timely care.

Read the full news release 👇

Canada’s doctors are concerned that false health information and disconnected health systems are putting patient care at risk.

04/18/2026

Overcrowded. Chaotic. And hours and hours of waiting. If you’ve ever spent time at a Canadian emergency department, scenes from the U.S. medical drama can feel all too real.

We had a chance to sit down with Edmonton emergency doctor Shazma Mithani to discuss just how accurate the show really is — from medication doses to where doctors are standing during procedures — and how it relates to the current state of health care in Canada.

Overcrowded. Chaotic. And hours and hours of waiting. If you’ve ever spent time at a Canadian emergency department, scenes from the U.S. medical drama The Pitt — set in a fictional trauma centre in Pittsburgh, Penn. — can feel all too real.

04/16/2026

Physicians spend a significant amount of time on patient charting, which often leads to burnout and cognitive fatigue. But a group of New Brunswick doctors say using an artificial intelligence (AI) scribe for clinical documentation is transforming the way they work, with 86% noticing a reduction in time spent on paperwork.

This new tool, which captures and transcribes real-time conversations between physicians and patients, has shown significant impact: 85% of participating physicians reported enhanced workflow efficiency, 80% felt less end of day fatigue and 75% had more time for direct patient care.

Funding for this initiative was provided by the Health Care Unburdened Grant program in 2024, a joint partnership between the Canadian Medical Association, MD Financial Management - Gestion financière MD and Scotiabank.

The program is a $10-million investment in innovative solutions to reduce administrative burden across Canada — key to improving physician wellness, so they can better care for both themselves and their patients.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4tWtrEK

04/13/2026

What happens when patients buy into false health information?

According to the CMA’s latest National Physician Health Survey (NPHS), 46% of practising doctors and residents are still reporting high levels of burnout — more than five years since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While heavy workloads are a major contributor, the rise of false health information is an emerging threat to both physicians and the patients they serve.

Read more 👇

Health misinformation is making record physician burnout worse. Learn how doctors can cope and about action by the Canadian Medical Association.

04/12/2026

📢 Reminder! There’s still time to register for the CMA Regional Member Forums taking place in Edmonton, Surrey and Markham.

Register here: https://bit.ly/4unGlMG

Registration is now open for CMA’s Regional Member Forums.

These events are an opportunity for physicians to connect with each other and help ensure CMA advocacy continues to reflect the needs and priorities of the profession.

At each forum, we’ll start with a discussion on the evolving role of AI in health care, followed by conversations on key issues across the health system and where CMA advocacy can have the greatest impact on physicians’ day-to-day practice.

Join us:
📍 Halifax – Apr. 8
📍 Edmonton – Apr. 28
📍 Surrey – Apr. 30
📍 Markham – May 11
💻 Virtual – May 13

Register now: https://bit.ly/4unGlMG

04/08/2026

The CMA is calling on the Federal government to reconsider their decision to charge refugees an extra 30% for essential health care services. This would include dental care, vision, mental health supports and essential medical supplies.

Every Canadian deserves access to equitable health care, regardless of their background or their ability to pay. Charging more for health services for select demographics is not the way to build a health system Canadians are proud of.

If you agree, stand with us in urging the Federal government to reconsider this decision.

Add your voice: https://bit.ly/4bqAcqp

04/01/2026

For a long time, professional excellence in medicine was synonymous with self-sacrifice. Today, a new standard is taking shape, one that prioritizes sustainability and the well-being of the person behind the coat.

In this episode of CMA’s Mosaic of Care, we explore the vital shift toward a more human-centered approach to health care. Through impactful personal stories and expert insights on systemic growth, we look at how we can build a culture where physicians don’t just survive, but truly thrive.

Watch the full episode on YouTube, link in bio!

03/26/2026

Health care workers are the backbone of the health system. But planning for the right care in the right place at the right time remains fragmented, both across professions and across provinces and territories. It’s time for a cultural shift in thinking about how the health system should work.

To deliver on better access to care across Canada (and better work environments for health professionals) Canada needs a national, integrated health workforce plan. Here are some steps needed to kick-start change and make access to care more equitable for people in Canada.

The CMA is putting forward a policy on how to create a more integrated health workforce.