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On April 9, 2026, the Ontario Ministry of Health informed the Ontario Superior Court of Justice that the new Ontario CaRMS eligibility requirements would be rescinded. This policy required applicants to have completed two years of Ontario high school to be eligible for first-iteration participation, which would have excluded international medical graduates (IMGs) from the process.
In October, 2025, the late Dr. Dominique Vervoort and Black Physicians of Canada filed a lawsuit against the Ontario Ministry of Health, arguing that these changes violate the Charter rights of applicants and implementation of these changes mid-cycle undermines fairness and transparency in the matching process. Two new applicants, Dr. Nathalia Da Silveira and Dr. Ilana Polegatto, came forward to join the lawsuit. On December 4, 2025, Justice Markus Koehnen of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued an injunction preventing the Ontario Ministry of Health from implementing the new policy.
This result would not have been possible without the legal representation provided by Allan Rock and Warda Shazadi Meighen of Landings LLP, and the support from various organizations and individuals who advocated for IMGs in Canada.
Black Physicians of Canada advocated for the removal of this policy because it risked worsening Ontario’s physician shortage, and undermining fairness and transparency in the match process. IMGs disproportionately fill gaps in underserved and rural settings, and limiting their entry into first-iteration positions would cut off a vital recruitment pipeline. We will continue to advocate for our members and promote health equity practices that support better health outcomes for all communities across Canada. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at info@blackphysicians.ca.
An original poem from Aliyah TruTh performed at the 2025 BPC National Conference

We are excited to share our new 2025-2030 Strategic Plan: Recognizing Our Power. This has been a thoughtful, community-driven effort to shape BPC’s vision, priorities, and programs for the years ahead.

Are you a Black resident, fellow or early career physician currently enrolled in a Canadian program or work for a Canadian instition?
In 2020, a short survey was done where 95% of Black residents identified a desire for race-concordant mentorship. We realize that residency, fellowship and early career development are three stages in one's medical career where support is needed to deal with on going challenges.
Details of our program:
Please email info@blackphysicians.ca for more information or if you have any questions!

Excerpt from a letter written by Dr. Kwadwo Owusu-Akyaw
You have overcome near insurmountable obstacles to reach this point. Undoubtedly, your community of family, friends, mentors, advocates and allies is overwhelmed with pride in your accomplishments. We hope to not only to add to the chorus of congratulations, but to ignite a fire of self-determination in the very depth of your being. We need you. We need you, because past and present injustices contribute to the denial of basic human rights in Black communities, even in a country celebrated as the standard bearer for equality and freedom. We need you, because access to medical education for Black individuals is at a historic low. We need you, because Black bodies continue to be underestimated, undervalued and under-treated at a level tantamount to a public health crisis.
Black Physicians of Canada acknowledges the historical oppression of lands, cultures and the original Peoples in what we now know as Canada and fervently believe in contributing to the healing and decolonizing journey we all share together.
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Are you a Black resident, fellow or early career physician who is currently enrolled in a Canadian institution looking to be a mentee? Are you a Black physician more than 5 years in practice currently working in Canada looking to be a mentor? Email us to sign up!
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