Program Contacts

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Important Information

Joint Ontario FM IMG Admissions Process

The Family Medicine Program at Toronto Metropolitan University's (TMU) School of Medicine participates in the Joint Ontario Family Medicine IMG Admissions Process. Although the file review and interview process is standardized across all 7 Ontario Family Medicine Programs, each program submits their own final rank order list.

Accreditation Status: Accredited

The Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine's Family Medicine Residency Program received accreditation from the College of Family Physicians of Canada in October of 2024.

Virtual Information Sessions for TMU FM Program

• Friday, October 31, 2025 - 3:00 p.m. ET Click here to register
• Saturday, November 15, 2025 - 10:00 a.m. ET Click here to register
• Friday, November 21, 2025 - 9:00 a.m. ET Click here to register 

Additional Documentation Requested by TMU FM Program

In addition to the standardized application requirements, the following documentation is requested by the TMU Family Medicine Program: 

• TMU Regional Connection Attestation (required)
  Applicants to the TMU School of Medicine Family Medicine Program are required to submit the TMU Regional Connection Attestation, outlining any connections that they may have to Peel and surrounding communities. The information provided in the attestation will not be considered in the Joint Ontario IMG Admissions file review and interview processes, but it will be considered by TMU in our program's selection/ranking process.
  
  
• CaRMS Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional)
  Applicants to the TMU School of Medicine Family Medicine Program are asked to optionally complete the CaRMS Self-Identification Questionnaire (CSIQ). This information will be used to support our goal of selecting a diverse group of candidates. Your completed CSIQ will only be made available to TMU and will not be shared with the other Ontario family medicine programs. More information around how your information will be accessed and protected is provided in the document section.

Family Medicine Professional Choices Assessment (FMProC)

• All applicants will be required to write FMProC for their application to be deemed complete. More details and information about registration for FMProC can be found here: www.fmproc.com   

  Please note registration will open on September 10, 2025 for the 1st round of testing.

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.

  • If you graduated from a U.S. allopathic medical school on or after July 1, 2025, you are considered an International Medical Graduate (IMG) and may only apply through this stream.
    
    
  • If you graduated from a U.S. allopathic medical school before July 1, 2025, you are considered a Canadian Medical Graduate (CMG) and are eligible to apply through the CMG stream instead.

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.

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Return of Service

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.

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General Instructions

Program application language: English

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Supporting Documentation / Information

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Review Process

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

Applicants who apply to any of the seven Ontario Family Medicine Programs (McMaster University, NOSM University, University of Ottawa, Queen's University, University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University, Western University) will be assessed by a joint panel comprised of representatives from each of the seven Ontario Family Medicine Programs.

This panel will assess all candidates' applications and grant interviews to approximately 600-700 applicants, regardless of the number of Ontario Family Medicine Programs candidates apply to. The panel will provide the final evaluation results of all candidates who were interviewed to each of the individual Ontario Family Medicine Programs that they applied to. Each Ontario Family Medicine Program will then generate its own final rank list.

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Interviews

Dates:

• January 16, 2026

Selection Criteria

I have received an interview offer based on my eligibility and exam scores. Are there other preferential selection criteria that the program directors consider in my ranking? 

The seven Ontario Family Medicine Programs prefer applicants who have recent full-time clinical experience (clinical clerkship during medical school or residency or independent practice). Observership is NOT considered clinical experience. Participation in a residency training program in Family Medicine or in clinical practice in family medicine or its equivalent will be favoured in our ranking.

Program goals

• TMU’s School of Medicine is committed to improving the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities, with a special focus on the primary care needs of diverse and underserved populations in Peel and surrounding communities. Our mission, in alignment with the Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) office, is to provide community-engaged education, scholarship, and service. We aim to educate residents within safe and supportive environments, fostering the development of compassionate, respectful, and forward-thinking clinicians who will provide outstanding holistic care and lead in health system transformation.
  
  
• We are dedicated to upholding our commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, as well as ensuring that we live up to our commitments to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) via supporting Indigenous resurgence, reconciliation, and decolonization within the Canadian healthcare context.
  
  
• Our program goals include selecting residents who demonstrate clinical excellence, community engagement, leadership potential, and a commitment to lifelong learning and health equity. We seek residents who are capable of becoming exceptional physicians in their specialties and who share our dedication to improving healthcare access and outcomes in the communities we serve.
  
  
• To align with our selection process goals, we emphasize the importance of recruiting a diverse population of residents reflecting the demographics of Peel and surrounding communities and are committed to advancing the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, decolonization and Reconciliation. Our process incorporates comprehensive evaluations, including academic performance, clinical evaluations, leadership experiences, and community involvement, ensuring that our residents not only meet our high standards of clinical competence but also embody the values and mission of the TMU School of Medicine.
  
  
• The TMU School of Medicine Family Medicine (FM) residency program seeks to train family physicians who are patient-centered, professional and dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
  
  
• The FM residency program fosters a supportive learning environment that emphasizes evidence-based medicine, continuous improvement, lifelong learning and physician wellness.
  
  
• We aim to equip our residents with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in clinical practice, leadership, and community service, while upholding a high standard of professionalism.

The goal of the Family Medicine Residency Program is to graduate Family Medicine Residents who:

• Excel Clinically:
  Residents will strive towards achieving excellence in clinical practice, committing to evidence-informed medicine, continuous quality improvement, clinical innovation and primary-care research.
  
  
• Provide Culturally Responsive Care:
  Residents will learn to deliver compassionate medical care tailored to the diverse needs of their patients, incorporating a holistic approach to the practice of Family Medicine
  
  
• Serve their Community:
  Residents will develop a deep commitment to the health of residents of Peel and surrounding communities, developing the skills necessary to address their specific healthcare needs.
  
  
• Collaborate Effectively:
  Residents will learn from and with interprofessional team members to deliver high-quality, culturally competent, patient-centred care.
  
  

Selection process goals

The TMU School of Medicine Postgraduate Medical Education Unit and the Family 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:

• A keen passion for family medicine and primary care/an interest in improving healthcare access and outcomes in Peel and surrounding communities
    
• A connection to Peel and surrounding communities and/or an interest in practicing in culturally diverse communities
  
  
• An interest in building the TMU School of Medicine and being an integral part of the success of a brand-new residency program
  
  
• A broad range of personal, professional, and educational experiences that reflect a passion and commitment to community engagement, advocacy, and leadership, especially in the context of marginalized communities
  
  

File review process

Evaluation criteria :

Elective criteria

Interview process

Interview evaluation criteria :

Information gathered outside of CaRMS application

We do not consider any information gathered outside of the CaRMS application and local interview processes.

Ranking process

The behavior(s) exhibited below during the interview process may prevent an applicant from being ranked by our program :
Unprofessional or inappropriate behavior   
Did not attend interview   
Interview performance was not competitive   

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Program Highlights

The TMU School of Medicine’s Family Medicine residency program strongly emphasizes addressing primary care and community needs. This focus is integral to its design, aiming to equip residents with the skills necessary to serve as comprehensive family physicians. A strength of the program is its focus on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, Anti-Racism & Reconciliation, Decolonization, and Indigenous Resurgence (EDIAA-RDIR). The Family Medicine residency program strongly commits to inclusivity and focuses on providing educational experiences rooted in culturally humble and sensitive competencies. Family Medicine residents will be paired with mentors based on their career and personal interests.

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Program Curriculum

This residency program is for 2 years.

Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.

Family Medicine Rotations (Family Medicine and Family Medicine - Urgent Care)

These rotations form the cornerstone of the residency, offering a comprehensive experience in Family Medicine. Residents will care for patients across their lifespans, from pediatrics to geriatrics, addressing various medical needs including preventive care, chronic disease management, mental health, and minor procedures. 

Notably, six out of the eight blocks will be conducted within the same community teaching clinic, providing continuity of care and allowing residents to build long-term relationships with their patients. This consistency in the clinical environment is designed to enhance the development of skills necessary for delivering patient-centred care. The remaining two blocks will be completed in an urgent care or walk-in clinic, where residents will gain experience managing a high volume of low-acuity conditions in a fast-paced environment.

Pediatrics

The Pediatrics rotation offers residents a broad spectrum of experiences, from emergency consultations to routine outpatient care. This rotation is crucial for developing the skills necessary to care for children from infancy through adolescence, emphasizing the evaluation, treatment, and management of common pediatric illnesses and well-child care.

General Internal Medicine

This rotation is structured to emulate the responsibilities of a hospitalist, allowing residents to manage complex cases in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The experience gained in diagnosing and treating acute, chronic, and end-of-life conditions will equip residents with a comprehensive skill set in internal medicine.

Obstetrics and Gynecology

During this rotation, residents will be exposed to a wide range of obstetric and gynecological conditions in inpatient and outpatient settings. The rotation encompasses pre-pregnancy planning, prenatal care, labour and delivery, postpartum care, and gynecological health, preparing residents to function effectively as generalists in women's health.

Mental Health and Addiction Medicine

This rotation is focused on developing the skills required to address mental health needs and substance use disorders. Residents will work in psychiatric settings and collaborate with mental health professionals, gaining experience in patient-centred communication, diagnosis, and management of mental health and addiction issues commonly encountered in primary care.

Emergency Medicine

The Emergency Medicine rotation trains residents in triage, rapid assessment, and management of acute presentations of diseases and trauma. Residents will develop skills in prioritizing and managing multiple patients simultaneously, emphasizing timely intervention and appropriate referral to specialists.

Care of the Elderly/Palliative Care

In this mixed-block rotation, residents will gain experience managing chronic medical issues in the elderly and providing palliative care. The rotation includes clinical placements in various settings, including clinics, long-term care, and home visits, emphasizing the importance of continuity of care and developing long-term patient relationships.

Rural Medicine

This rotation allows residents to train in rural and remote communities, offering exposure to the broad scope of family medicine practice in these communities. The experience gained in managing patient care in resource-limited environments will be invaluable. Work is underway to expand this rotation to work with and learn from Indigenous communities and embed the Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing into the training. 

Electives

Elective rotations are designed to allow residents to gain additional clinical or academic exposure in areas of personal interest, further enhancing their ability to function as family physicians in diverse settings. These rotations complement the core Family Medicine experience and can be completed within or outside affiliated teaching hospitals and clinics.

Selectives: Outpatient Surgical Skills (OSS)

The OSS selective allows residents to refine procedural skills in a range of clinical settings within the affiliated teaching hospitals and clinics. Experiences may include minor surgical procedures, gynecological procedures, dermatological biopsies, and orthopedic interventions, fostering confidence in the technical aspects of patient care.

Selectives: Outpatient Specialty Clinic (OSC)

The OSC selective offers residents exposure to various medical disciplines in outpatient settings within the affiliated teaching hospitals and clinics, focusing on managing chronic medical conditions. The rotation provides valuable experience in the longitudinal care of patients with diverse health needs, contributing to a well-rounded medical education. Clinical experiences may include breastfeeding clinics, colposcopy clinics, early arthritis clinics, endoscopy clinics, or wound clinics. The options are vast and allow for individualization to each resident’s needs and interests.

PGY-1 Sample Rotation Schedule 

• 4 Blocks (16 weeks): Family Medicine
• 2 Blocks (8 weeks): Family Medicine within the first 6 months
• 2 Blocks: (8 weeks): Family Medicine within the last 6 months
• 2 Blocks: (8 weeks): Pediatrics
• 2 Blocks: (8 weeks): General Internal Medicine
• 1 Block: Family Medicine Extracurricular (ETC.)
• 2 Blocks: (6 weeks): Obstetrics & Gynecology
• 1 Block (6 weeks): Mental Health & Addiction Medicine
• 1 Block (4 weeks): Emergency Medicine 1

PGY-2 Sample Rotation Schedule 

• 4 Blocks (16 weeks): Family Medicine
• 2 Blocks (8 weeks): Family Medicine - Urgent Care within the first 6 months
• 2 Blocks (8 weeks): Family Medicine with last 6 months 
• 2 Block (8 weeks): Electives
• 1 Block (4 weeks): Emergency Medicine 2
• 1 Block (4 weeks): Care of the Elderly (2 weeks)/Palliative Care (2 weeks) 
• 1 Block (4 weeks): Family Medicine Extracurricular (ETC.)
• 2 Blocks (8 weeks): Rural Medicine & Indigenous Care
• 2 Blocks (8 weeks): Selectives (Outpatient Specialty Clinics and Outpatient Specialty Clinics)

Quality Improvement

A core component of the PGME Resident curriculum will be conducting a Quality Improvement project (QI) to be submitted by the middle of their second year of residency. Residents will be introduced to QI principles in their first year of residency. Residents will be encouraged to think of a topic or relevant area for improvement as they progress throughout their residency.  Dedicated time in Academic Half Day (AHD) will be provided for residents to form groups, plan their projects, etc. After submission, the projects will be presented at an AHD session, and faculty will select a ‘winning project’ that will receive an award at graduation. 

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. 

The PGME Foundational Curriculum will include a Research and Critical Appraisal Course to ensure that core research and scholarship content is delivered to all PGME Residents. Recognizing the huge diversity of research methods, the Research and Critical Appraisal Course Course will link to additional resources and outside courses that will allow them some individualization in learning content relevant to individual Residents’ particular research endeavours.

Residents will be encouraged to seek out any research or quality improvement projects they are interested in, and appropriate Faculty support will be provided as needed. This may include creating their own project, or working with a family physician faculty member on an existing project. 

Aspects of the Foundational Curriculum include:

Foundations Course

• Introduction Module 
• Professionalism and Code of Conduct Module 
• Foundational Module 

Communication Course 

• Team-Based Care Module
• Conflict Resolution/Critical Conversations Module
• Patient and Family-Centred Care Module

Leadership Course 

• Introduction Module
• Wellness and Resiliency Module 
• Ethics/Choosing Wisely Module 
• Fatigue Risk Management Module

Continuous Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Course 

• Introduction Module 
• Continuous Quality Improvement Module 
• Patient Safety Module

Research and Critical Appraisal Course

• Research Basics Module 
• Health Literacy Module 
• Critical Appraisal Module 
• Elective module on Proposed Research Methodology

Teaching Course 

• Resident as Teacher Module 
• Presentations Module 
• Large/Small Group Facilitation Module 
• Bedside Teaching Module
• Virtual Delivery of Education Module

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility, & Reconciliation/Decolonization/Indigenous Resurgence (EDIA-RDIR) and Anti-Racism Course

• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Module 
• Black Health Module 
• Indigenous Health Module 
• Accessibility Module 
• Sexual and Gender Minorities Module 
• Poverty Health Module

 

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Training Sites

The TMU School of Medicine currently has clinical partnerships with multiple major training sites: 

• William Osler Health System
• Trillium Health Partners
• Headwaters Health Care Centre
• Halton Healthcare
• Peel Region
• ErinoakKids
• Michael Garron Hospital

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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Additional Information

A novel program called LEARN (Leadership, Education, Advocacy, Research, and Non-clinical) Time will allow residents to access protected time that they may direct toward opportunities for experiential learning activities. 

• It is anticipated that many residents will leverage this time to participate in work worthy of publication and scholarly work. While this program will be overseen by the Family Medicine Residency Program’s Competence Subcommittees, central support for some elements of the LEARN Time program will also be provided. In particular, annual LEARN Time events will connect residents with individuals working in other areas of TMU, Brampton/Peel, and surrounding committees. This will allow for some ‘scholarly matchmaking’ to happen outside of the Family Medicine Residency Program to connect Residents with a broader array of scholarly opportunities than would exist solely within the Family Medicine Residency Program.
  
  
• Residents may also use LEARN time to engage in other Leadership and Advocacy work, such as with the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), Professional Association of Residents of Ontario (PARO), College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP), allowing residents to engage with formal leadership and other opportunities early on in their careers. They may also choose to engage in formal teaching and mentorship of TMU School of Medicine undergraduate medical students. They will be provided a formal curriculum as well as informal mentorship opportunities for developing teaching skills.