The Ontario government has announced an investment of C$1.8bn ($1.24bn) aimed at connecting two million additional residents to a publicly funded family doctor or primary care team by 2029.

The investment encompasses C$1.4bn in new funding, alongside over C$400m in previously approved primary care funds.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones said: “Through our government’s record investments in primary care, we have been able to achieve the highest rate of access to regular health care providers in the country.”

The investment will be used by Ontario’s Primary Care Action Team to execute an action plan designed to build a primary care system based on successful models from across the province.

The Primary Care Action Plan will embark on a broad range of initiatives in collaboration with care leaders and partners to address the needs of people.

Key initiatives include the creation and expansion of 305 additional teams to connect approximately two million people to primary care.

This includes an investment of more than C$235m in 2025-26 for establishing and expanding 80 primary care teams, aiming to attach 300,000 more individuals to care this year.

The plan also focuses on enhancing transparency and providing regular public updates.

The government seeks to modernise Health Care Connect to enhance the experience for both users and providers to reduce the wait time to no more than 12 months.

By 2026, everyone on the Health Care Connect waitlist as of 1 January 2025, will be attached to a primary care team.

Additionally, the plan includes enhancing digital tools for providers and patients, leveraging Health811 for online health records and appointment bookings, and setting regular performance indicators for primary care teams.

Furthermore, the strategy includes targeted efforts to recruit and retain the necessary workforce to support care providers and teams.