Another Record-Breaking Increase in Manitoba Physicians
Manitoba has broken a new record when it comes to physician growth with a net increase of 196 over the last year, according to a new Annual Report from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba.
“Another record-breaking increase in physicians is good news for patients,” said Dr. Alon Altman, President of Doctors Manitoba. “Manitoba is still climbing out of one of the most serious doctor shortages in the country, but sustained growth like this is helping us close the gap.”
In 2024, Manitoba saw 133 more physicians over the year prior, and in 2025 a net increase of 164 was reported.
The 2025/26 CPSM Annual Report provides new details about where Manitoba is making progress — and where more attention is needed.
Growth is uneven
Most regions gained physicians over the last year, but Western Manitoba saw its physician complement decline from 248 to 240. There are also significant differences by specialty. The number of family physicians has grown by 15% over the last two years, while growth among other specialists is about half that rate (7%).
“We are moving in the right direction, but recruitment needs to be increasingly targeted to the specialties and communities where shortages remain most serious,” Dr. Altman said. “A province-wide increase doesn’t necessarily mean patients are finding it easier to get care in some communities or from some specialties.”
Retention is critical
The new data also reinforces the importance of retaining the physicians already practising in Manitoba.
While Manitoba continues to attract new physicians, the number leaving practice increased again in the last year, returning to levels seen during the worst of the pandemic.
At the same time, Manitoba is increasingly relying on physicians trained internationally to fuel its growth, while the number of new physicians who graduated in Manitoba remains below previous levels.
“Recruitment gets a lot of attention, but retention is just as important,” Dr. Altman said. “If we can recruit more doctors while losing fewer of the ones already here, we can close Manitoba’s doctor shortage much faster.”
Doctors Manitoba closely monitors physician workforce trends to support provincial planning on medical training, recruitment and retention.
➡️ Read an analysis of annual physician reporting here (September 9, 2026)