The British Columbia government says the province now has the highest number of doctors per capita in Canada, as it continues efforts to recruit health professionals and connect more residents with primary care.

In a statement, the provincial Health Ministry said more than 600,000 people have been connected with a family doctor or nurse practitioner since 2023, part of a broader strategy to strengthen the public health-care system.

The government says more than 75% of British Columbians now have a primary care provider, with thousands more being matched each week through provincial programs.

Premier David Eby said improving access to primary care remains a top priority for the province.

Recruitment efforts target U.S. professionals

The provincial government says its recruitment campaign aimed at U.S.-trained health workers has attracted significant interest.

According to the Health Ministry, more than 500 American-trained doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and allied health professionals had accepted jobs in B.C. as of last month. That includes 109 doctors, 315 nurses, 51 nurse practitioners and more than two dozen allied health workers.

The government also says nearly 3,000 U.S. health-care professionals have applied for jobs in the province since March 2025.

Health Minister Josie Osborne said the province is combining international recruitment with expanded training efforts at home to grow the workforce.

Physician numbers reach new high

The provincial government says B.C. now has more than 15,000 physicians, or about 271 doctors per 100,000 residents—giving it the highest physician-to-population ratio in the country.

More than half of those physicians are family doctors, according to the ministry.

Officials say the increase is the result of ongoing investments in training, licensing and recruitment programs designed to address physician shortages.

Access improving, government says

While access to care is improving, the provincial government says it will continue working to connect more residents with primary care providers.

The ministry says its overall strategy—focused on recruiting, training and retaining health-care workers—is intended to ensure people can access care closer to home and when they need it.