Press Releases

Ont. Med Students and Residents Call for Programs Available in Other Provinces

Ontario falling behind several other provinces in Canada that have implemented interest deferral plans to ensure medical school accessibility

Toronto, April 23, 2007 – The Ontario Medical Association (OMA), Ontario Medical Student Association (OMSA) and the Professional Association of Internes and Residents of Ontario (PAIRO) are calling on the provincial government to help new doctors in Ontario by deferring payment and interest accrual on student loans until after residency training is completed.

“Deferring interest would help ease the burden of student debts and allow medical residents to focus on their training,” said Dr. Kris Lehnhardt, President of PAIRO. “Other provinces across the country have already taken this step. We need to make sure that Ontario remains competitive by relieving this added financial burden.”

Deferral of interest on medical student loans until after residency training has already been implemented in Newfoundland, Saskatchewan, Quebec and most recently, Alberta.

“The average medical resident carries a debt of over $150,000 and resident salaries have not increased alongside the rise in medical school tuition. In order to cope with this, medical students are choosing higher paying specialties over family medicine,” said Tyler Christie, Chair of OMA Medical Student Association. “A debt deferral initiative would make family medicine more attractive and allow residents to concentrate fully on their patients instead of worrying about their debts.”

The OMA, OMSA and PAIRO believe that the high cost of tuition for medical school and the sizeable debt loads students face act as barriers for bright and qualified students from lower income families. The 2004 National Physician Survey found that rising tuition has decreased the number of students who come from lower income backgrounds, thus limiting the access of qualified Canadians to become doctors. According to the OMA and PAIRO a debt deferral plan would be a step in the right direction to help diversify medical school candidates.

In March 2007, the OMSA and PAIRO met with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to illustrate the challenges that residents face, given that half of their take-home pay is devoted to paying off debt. Today, more than 50 medical students and residents took time from their studies to advocate on behalf of the trainees in the six medical schools across Ontario.

“Debt interest deferral in Ontario is important because it would allow us to catch up to other provinces in this regard,” said Dr. David Bach, President of the OMA. “In addition, it will help address the fact that the cost of a medical education should stay within reach of students from all socio-economic backgrounds.”

For more information please contact OMA media relations at (416) 340-2862