Ontario · Health
Find a family doctor in Ontario
Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked
Short answer
In Ontario, register with Health Care Connect online or by calling 811 (TTY 711), any time of day. You need a valid Ontario health card number and your contact details. A Care Connector looks for a family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team taking new patients near you, with urgent needs matched first. A match is not guaranteed right away.
Who handles it
Health Care Connect (Ministry of Health)
Handles it in Ontario.
Register online or call 811; you need a valid Ontario health card.
Official link
Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.
Who can apply
Health Care Connect matches people who need urgent care first.
Source: ontario.cachecked #
Steps
Register for Health Care Connect online or by phone at 811 (TTY 711), which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can register your whole family.
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You get a letter confirming your registration. When you are matched, a referral letter names the clinician, who then calls you to book a first appointment.
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What you need
You need your contact information, a valid Ontario health card number, and basic health information. Your mailing address must match the one linked to your health card.
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How long it takes
Joining does not mean you will be matched right away, and the preferences you set can affect how long it takes.
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Good to know
If your health card expires while you wait, it can delay your match. Keep your card current and update your registration if your address or health needs change.
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If you used Health Care Connect before, you can only register again by calling 811.
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Questions people ask
How do I get on the waiting list for a family doctor in Ontario?
Register with Health Care Connect online or call 811. A Care Connector searches for a family doctor, nurse practitioner or team accepting new patients in your community.
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Do I need a health card to find a family doctor in Ontario?
Yes. You must give a valid Ontario health card number when you register with Health Care Connect.
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How long does it take to get a family doctor through Health Care Connect?
Ontario does not publish a set wait time. Joining does not guarantee an immediate match, and urgent needs are matched first.
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Can I register in French?
Yes. You can register for Health Care Connect in English or French.
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In every province and territory
The same service across Canada: who handles it and the official link. Ontario is marked.
| Province or territory | Who handles it | Official link | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Health Connect Registry (HealthLink BC, Ministry of Health) | Join the registrychecked | |
| Alberta | Alberta Find a Provider (Primary Care Alberta) | Find a clinic accepting patientschecked | There is no provincial waitlist; search for clinics accepting new patients or ask a clinic about its own waitlist. |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Health Authority | Find a clinic in your areachecked | The province points you to local clinics by area; ask a clinic whether it takes new patients. |
| Manitoba | Family Doctor Finder (Manitoba Health) | Register onlinechecked | |
| OntarioThis page | Health Care Connect (Ministry of Health) | Join Health Care Connectchecked | Register online or call 811; you need a valid Ontario health card. |
| Quebec | Québec Family Doctor Finder (Guichet d'accès à un médecin de famille) | Register for a family doctorchecked | |
| New Brunswick | NB Health Link | Register with NB Health Linkchecked | You need a valid NB Medicare card; in some areas you may be waitlisted. |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Health | Join the Need a Family Practice Registrychecked | Register online or by calling 811; you must call 811 if you do not yet have a Nova Scotia Health Card. |
| Prince Edward Island | Provincial Patient Registry (Health PEI) | None on record | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Patient Connect NL (Department of Health and Community Services) | Join Patient Connect NLchecked | Without internet access, register by phone at 1-833-913-4679. |
| Yukon | Find a Primary Care Provider registry (Government of Yukon, Health and Social Services) | None on record | The registry covers the Whitehorse area only; elsewhere, go to your community health centre. |
| Northwest Territories | Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) | Integrated care teamschecked | In Yellowknife call Primary Care at 867-767-9294; elsewhere contact your local health centre. |
| Nunavut | Nunavut Department of Health (community health centres) | None on record | Nunavut has no family doctor wait list; primary care is through your community health centre. |
Where to go in person
Places in the biggest cities, from open data. Check the official link for hours and what each office offers before you go.
Clinics and community health centres
Cite this page
Canada Service Map, "Find a family doctor in Ontario", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/find-family-doctor/ontario