Accreditation Status: Accredited
The Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine's Emergency Medicine Residency Program received accreditation from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in October of 2024.
Virtual Information Sessions
The TMU Emergency Medicine Program invites you to attend one of our upcoming Virtual Information Sessions to learn more about the Program and have any questions that you may have answered by the Program Director, Dr. Jennifer Chu!
The info sessions will be approximately 45-60 minutes and will be held on the following dates:
Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link.
Additionally, Dr. Chu is offering applicants who are invited to interview to meet with her individually for 10 minutes on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Instructions to sign up for these sessions will be sent closer to the date of interviews via email.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Eligibility Criteria
In addition to meeting the CaRMS R-1 Match Basic Eligibility Criteria, all applicants must meet the Ontario Provincial Eligibility Criteria in order to be considered. Applicants are responsible for reviewing this criteria in full before applying.
U.S. Allopathic Medical Graduates (USMG)
Medical students or graduates who have obtained or are in the process of obtaining a medical degree from an allopathic medical school in the U.S can either be considered Canadian Medical Graduates (CMGs) or International Medical Graduates (IMGs) within the residency application process, depending on their graduation date. This differentiation is due to changes made in the joint accreditation process of medical schools in the U.S and Canada.
Pre-residency Orientation Programs
All International Medical Graduates (IMG) accepted to all residency programs will be required to complete either the Pre-Residency Program (PRP) or the Pre-Residency Program for Family Medicine (PRPFM) prior to entering into a residency program. Matched International Medical Graduates (IMG) will be expected to attend these programs in Toronto, several weeks in advance of the start of their residency program. In some cases, this may result in a delay of the start date of the residency. Additional information on the PRP and PRP FM programs can be found at the following link: Touchstone Institute.
Assessment Verification Period
All IMG candidates accepted to residency training programs will be required to undergo an Assessment Verification Period (AVP). This assessment period is normally 12 weeks in length and is required by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to obtain an educational license to enter a residency program. More information on the AVP policy can be found here.
IMGs that have failed an AVP and are reapplying through CaRMS are ineligible to apply for training in the same specialty in Ontario but may apply to a different specialty in the first and/or second iteration. For those who have withdrawn from an AVP, you are eligible for the same or another specialty. For more information, review the CaRMS Applicant Release Policy. IMGs who have withdrawn from a program prior to completion of an AVP must declare so upon application.
Please note that while every effort is made to accommodate a July 1st start date, there may be some applicants matched who cannot be accommodated for a July 1st start. This information will be communicated to the matched applicants directly from the matched program.
Ontario’s International Medical Graduate (IMG) Return of Service (ROS) program is intended to improve access to physician services across Ontario, particularly in areas with limited physician supply. The IMG ROS program offers participants a postgraduate medical training position in return for a commitment to practise medicine in an eligible Ontario community. The ROS contract is between the Ministry of Health and the successful applicant, and it is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm eligibility with respect to ROS requirements of other provinces. Ontario PGME offices are not involved in this process.
The Ministry requests all ROS agreements before July 1 of the year they were matched. All agreements should be returned to the Ministry prior to the start of residency training.
More information for IMG ROS can be found here: Return of Service Program
If you have further questions, please contact the Ministry of Health at PPUProgramOfficer@ontario.ca
PLEASE NOTE: APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO FULFILL A ROS COMMITMENT IN ONTARIO IMMEDIATELY UPON COMPLETION OF YOUR TRAINING.
Program application language: English
NOTE: The following MUST be accompanied by a Canadian Government Issued Photo ID:
Certificate of Indian Status / Aboriginal Status or Makivik Society Card:
All applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons under the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act at the time of application (with the exception of Citizens of Indigenous nations as outlined above).
All applicants must have their citizenship pre-verified or provide a document as proof of Canadian Citizenship Status.
Applications submitted without one of the acceptable forms of verification will be considered incomplete and will not be considered further in the selection process. No other forms of verification are accepted.
Proof of English language proficiency must be provided through ONE of the following options:
1. Submit an acceptable language assessment document to verify your language proficiency:
2. Letter of language proficiency
3. FAIMER / World Director of Medial Schools
If you've experienced any academic failures or gaps in training throughout your medical education journey that you would like to explain, this should be addressed in your personal statement and titled as “Addendum”. This information will not be included in the above word count, but should not exceed 250 words.
Medical School TranscriptStudents applying in the last year of medical school will need to submit their most recent marks/transcripts and will need to provide proof of their MD to CPSO prior to the start of residency training.
PhotoWe understand that a number of applicants to our residency programs will have a connection to the Brampton/Peel Region and surrounding communities region, and that many applicants will also have an interest in serving culturally diverse and medically underserved communities.
Building upon our strong foundation of social accountability, we have implemented a Regional Connection Attestation to help identify candidates who may have a connection to the region.
All applicants are asked to complete this attestation. The information provided in the attestation will be considered in our selection process and candidates will be awarded a Regional Connection Score.
Please note that a connection to the Brampton/Peel Region and surrounding communities is not required in order to apply. We look forward to welcoming a diverse cohort of students committed to serving communities such as these, both from the region and beyond.
Applicants must provide an official Ontario high school transcript confirming at least two years of attendance at an accredited Ontario high school.
Applicants who did not attend an Ontario high school for the required duration may still qualify if their absence was the direct result of a legal guardian’s deployment or posting outside Ontario as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Diplomatic Service, or Department of Foreign Affairs (e.g., Global Affairs Canada).
Applicants must complete the attestation below and upload it, together with the required documents, in their CaRMS Online account to confirm they meet one of the above criteria.
International Medical Graduate Attestation Form
Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are fundamental values at TMU and the School of Medicine. As the first medical school in Canada founded and intentionally built upon the foundations of social accountability, EDI, decolonization and Reconciliation. These principles have been intentionally infused throughout all facets of the TMU School of Medicine, including admissions.
We recognize that many groups face barriers not only in applying and being admitted to medical school, but also in matching into residency programs. With this in mind, and in keeping with TMU’s mission, vision and values, our PGME Office and residency programs are asking applicants to optionally complete the CaRMS Self-Identification Questionnaire and to assign the document with their application to our program.
This information will be used to support our goal of selecting a diverse group of candidates to interview and subsequently rank. Your information will also be used to produce aggregate data. Following the CaRMS Match, anonymized aggregate data from the CSIQ will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of our selection process in removing barriers and promoting inclusion, and to help us set EDI goals for future matches.
All members of the TMU PGME Office, program faculty and staff, file reviewers, interviewers, and program selection committees undergo mandatory unconscious bias and anti-racism training specifically geared to admissions and selection and must also sign a Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Agreement. Additionally, to help ensure an equitable and accessible admissions and selection process, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates who may require them in the interview process.
Information on how this information will be accessed and protected by TMU:
Your information will remain confidential, but not anonymous. Only a few authorized individuals in PGME, including the Program Director and Program Administrator, will have access to individual responses from individual candidates. All personal information that is collected will be used, stored, and destroyed in accordance with TMU's Notice of Collection.
Your self-identification information will be stored and maintained by the individuals mentioned from the Postgraduate Medical Education Office and destroyed in alignment with TMU's records retention schedule and the Ontario Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). No information that identifies an individual and their diversity self-identification data will be released or shared, except with the aforementioned who are required to have confidential access to the information to fulfill their responsibilities, or with the consent of the person from whom the information is collected.
If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information, please contact pgme@torontomu.ca.
Medical Student Performance Record (optional) can be provided in the form of a Dean’s Letter from the Dean of the international medical school that was attended.
Applications submitted after file review has opened on November 27, 2025
Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened on November 27, 2025
Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on November 27, 2025
Dates:
The TMU Emergency Medicine Residency Program is dedicated to cultivating exceptional Emergency Medicine physicians who excel academically and are deeply committed to compassionate patient care, community support, and the advancement of healthcare through education, research, and technology.
Core Goals:
The TMU School of Medicine Postgraduate Medical Education Unit and Emergency Medicine Program are committed to selecting a diverse population of residents who will be exceptional physicians in their specialty, and who are committed to equity, inclusion, and fostering a welcoming environment within the healthcare setting. The program particularly values participation in education and leadership roles during training as well as a desire to be a future leader in medical education and community medicine. In addition, the program is committed to selecting residents with:
Review team composition : Each applicant file will be reviewed by two independent file reviewers using a standardized rubric. Reviewers will include the Program Director and Clinical Faculty.
All file reviewers will complete a Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Agreement and will undergo unconscious bias and anti-racism training.
If a file reviewer recognizes a conflict of interest, they will flag this with the program administrator and the file will be reassigned.
Average number of applications received by our program in the last five years : 51 - 200
Average percentage of applicants offered interviews : 51 - 75 %
| File component | Criteria |
|---|---|
| CV | A custom CV is not required. The relevant information in your CaRMS Application outlining your personal, professional, educational and extracurricular experiences will be evaluated. |
| Electives | A broad range of electives, including the discipline. |
| Examinations | Passing score of MCCQE1 and NAC examination. |
| Extra-curricular | Will be evaluated, including interests both relevant and irrelevant to medicine. |
| Leadership skills | We value leadership qualities and will evaluate community engagement, advocacy and leadership roles and experiences, especially in the context of marginalized communities. |
| MSPRs | Will be evaluated to assess for competency, professionalism, or any areas of concern. |
| Personal letters | Will be evaluated to understand lived experiences, experiences with diversity, inequity, and/or marginalization, and to gauge interest in, and suitability for, the program. |
| Reference documents | A total of 3 reference documents are required and will be evaluated to assess competency, suitability, professionalism, and any areas of concern. |
| Research/Publications | Assessed within extra-curricular experience. |
| Transcripts | Will be reviewed. If your transcript shows any academic failures or gaps in training, this should be addressed in your personal statement and titled as “Addendum”. |
| Other file component(s) |
Communication Skills Applicants must be able to communicate proficiently in the English language. Written communication skills will be assessed in any written submissions (e.g. personal letter), and any comments/feedback in reference documents pertaining to the candidate’s ability to communicate effectively will also be taken into consideration. Regional Connection Attestation Applicants are asked to complete the TMU Regional Connection Attestation to detail any connections that they may have to Peel and surrounding communities. The information provided in the attestation will be considered in our selection process. CaRMS Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional) Applicants are asked to complete the CaRMS Self-Identification Questionnaire. This information will be used to support our goal of selecting a diverse group of candidates. More information provided in the document section. |
We understand that not all candidates will be able to secure electives at our affiliated sites, or be able to travel from their home institution. We encourage all interested candidates to apply to our program and want to reassure you that not completing an elective at an affiliated site will not impact your application.
Interview format :
We may accommodate requests to re-schedule interviews for applicants due to weather, technology failure, or unforeseen circumstances.
| Interview components | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Collaboration skills | Demonstrates ability to work effectively and respectfully within a team. |
| Collegiality | Demonstrates ability to build and maintain positive relationships with peers, contribute to a supportive work environment, and engage in constructive feedback and conflict resolution. |
| Communication skills | Demonstrates ability to clearly and effectively communicate both verbally and non-verbally. Demonstrates empathy and understanding in patient and team interactions. |
| Health advocacy | Ability to reflect on the importance of patient health advocacy and draw from experiences. |
| Interest in the discipline | Shows genuine enthusiasm and passion for Emergency Medicine and demonstrates understanding of current issues related to the specialty. |
| Interest in the program | Shows specific interest in the unique aspects of our residency program with knowledge of the program’s goals and opportunities. |
| Leadership skills | Demonstrates ability to take initiative and lead projects or teams and encourage others to achieve common goals. |
| Professionalism | Adheres to ethical principles and standards of medical practice. Demonstrates responsibility, accountability and integrity. |
| Scholarly activities | Demonstrates critical thinking and analytical skills and shows commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. |
| Other interview component(s) | Demonstrates awareness and respect for diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Exhibits ability to cope with stress and recover from setbacks. |
This residency program is for 5 years.
Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.
Sample Rotation Schedule
Transition to Discipline
Foundations of Discipline
Core of Discipline
Transition to Practice
PGME Foundational Curriculum
The PGME Foundational Curriculum has been designed to address competencies that are not always fostered within the clinical learning environment with a consistent approach across PGME programs.
Foundations Course
Communication Course
Leadership Course
Continuous Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Course
Research and Critical Appraisal Course
Teaching Course
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility, & Reconciliation/Decolonization/Indigenous Resurgence (EDIA-RDIR) and Anti-Racism Course
LEARN Time
A novel program called LEARN Time (Leadership, Education, Advocacy, Research, and Non-clinical Time) will allow residents who are meeting or exceeding the standards of their program to access protected time that they may direct toward opportunities for experiential learning activities.
The TMU School of Medicine currently has clinical partnerships with multiple major training sites:
Residency training will leverage a distributed model which may include training at any of these sites for learning in environments, which include community and clinical settings, urban and rural environments, and inpatient and outpatient settings. While the majority of resident training will be focused in Peel and surrounding communities, additional learning experiences may take place at other training sites within Canada through Inter-University Affiliation Agreements. These agreements are subject to change and result in training at sites other than those that are listed above.
Travel to various locations will be required. Access to a personal vehicle will be beneficial, though anyone with access to a reliable means of transportation is encouraged to consider this program.
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