University of Ottawa - Family Medicine - Ottawa Community
2026 R-1 Main Residency Match - second iteration
Competitive Stream including MOTP/MMTP for CMG
Last approved on March 05, 2026
Summary of changesApproximate Quota:
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Accreditation status : Accredited
Provincial Criteria
600 Peter Morand, Suite 201
Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 5Z3
Program Contacts
Important Information
FMProC
All applicants to any Canadian Family Medicine Program in the 1st and 2nd rounds of the CaRMS cycle are required to sit an online Situational Judgement Test (SJT) called FMProC (Family Medicine Professional Choices).
The FMProC is designed to assess four non-academic skills and attributes in our applicants that are critical to success as a Family Physician: Professional Integrity, Adaptability, Team Collaboration, and Empathy/Compassion.
You are only required to register, pay for, and complete the test once per CaRMS cycle, even if you are applying to multiple programs or have taken the assessment in previous years.
Below are the test windows for the first and second iterations of the Match.
2026 First Round Dates:
Registration opens: September 10th, 2025 at 12:00 PM (EST)
Registration closes: October 30th, 2025 at 12:00 PM (EST)
Test window opens: October 23rd, 2025 at 12:00 PM (EST)
Test window closes November 6th, 2025 at 12:00 PM (EST)
2026 Second Round Dates:
Registration opens: February 23rd, 2026 at 12:00 PM (EST)
Registration closes: March 9th, 2026 at 12:00 PM (EST)
Test window opens: February 25th, at 12:00 PM (EST)
Test window closes March 11th, 2025 at 12:00 PM (EST)
- It is the applicant’s responsibility to review and adhere to these deadlines. Late registration or test completion requests will not be accepted.
- Your FMProC score will be automatically sent to CaRMS and attached to your CaRMS application. CaRMS will email you once your FMProC score has been uploaded into your account.
- Visit fmproc.com to register for the FMProC test and find more information.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
English FAQ: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/sites/default/files/teams/128/FMProC/2025-26%20Cycle/FMProC_CProMF%202026_FAQs.pdf
English Information: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/sites/default/files/teams/128/FMProC/2025-26%20Cycle/FMProC_CProMF%202026_Information.pdf
French Information: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/sites/default/files/teams/128/FMProC/2025-26%20Cycle/FMProC-Information%202026%20FR.pdf
General Instructions
Program application language: English
Applicants to the University of Ottawa Family Medicine Program may apply to up to six different streams. Only one personal letter is required, regardless of the number of streams selected. We encourage applicants to clearly indicate in their letter which streams they are applying to and to explain their interest in each.
PLEASE NOTE: YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE BILINGUAL TO APPLY TO OR TO BE A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA FAMILY MEDICINE PROGRAM.
However, applicants to the bilingual (Montfort) stream must be proficient in both French and English. While there is no requirement to translate documents for this stream, we recommend structuring your personal letter with a mix of English and French paragraphs to reflect your bilingual abilities.
All applicants must also meet the eligibility criteria established by the province of Ontario.
What exactly are these criteria? Briefly listing them here may prevent some questions from prospective residents.
Supporting Documentation / Information
• Canadian Birth Certificate or Act of Birth
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence in Canada
• Passport page showing Canadian Citizenship
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card (both sides of card)
• Proof of Protected Person / Convention Refugee Status
• Certificate of Indian Status / Aboriginal Status or Makivik Society Card
• Canadian Citizenship Card (both sides of card)
Proof of valid current citizenship or permanent resident status must be provided by submitting one of the following verifications to CaRMS by the File Review Opening deadline. Failure to provide valid proof will result in your application being removed. No other forms of verification are acceptable:
- Notarized/certified photocopy of Birth Certificate/Act of Birth issued by an authority in Canada accompanied by photo ID (must be Canadian government-issued photo ID).
- Failure to provide proof of citizenship will result in the removal of your application. No other forms of verification are acceptable.
- Documents must be notarized/certified photocopies. Notarized/certified copies must be dated and not older than two years from the date of application submission deadline; otherwise, a new notarized/certified copy is required.
- Confirmation of permanent residence must be accompanied by a photo ID (must be a Canadian government-issued photo ID).
Your FMProC assessment result is sent directly to CaRMS. The FMProC assessment is only valid for one admissions cycle. If you have taken the assessment in previous years, you are expected to re-take it.
To register for the FMProC assessment visit www.fmproc.com.
Family Medicine Programs have adopted the Canadian Family Medicine Structured Reference Letter. Any FM program requesting a reference will require this form. Traditional narrative letters will NOT be accepted. Once requested by the applicant via the CaRMS platform, the referee should be automatically directed to complete the form.
Consistent with the AFMC measures established in response to the Québec physicians’ strike, we will implement the following accommodations for applicants from Québec faculties of medicine and for applicants from other Canadian faculties who had planned visiting electives in Québec during this time.
- We will accept reference documents completed by any physician able to support the applicant’s candidacy.
- We will not require reference letters from physicians practising in the same discipline as the program.
- Applicants are required to submit two (2) reference documents but are permitted to submit up to the maximum of three (3).
We ask you to write a personal letter so we can get to know you better beyond your CV can tell us. Your letter should incorporate answers the following three questions in 1000 words or less)
- Why have you chosen Family Medicine as a career?
Your answer to this question should:
- Justify why your training or life experience has prepared you to become a Family Physician
- Explain how significant life events or experiences are linked to why you chose Family Medicine
- Provide insight into how you see Family Medicine’s role in the delivery of health care in Ontario
- What personal qualities will help you excel in this career?
- What factors make the uOttawa Family Medicine program the right fit for you?
Your medical school transcript can be submitted through one of the methods below:
- Obtain your medical transcript from your school and upload it directly to your CaRMS Online account. Follow your school’s policy regarding accessing or requesting your transcript;
- Ask your medical school to upload your medical transcript through their CaRMS Undergraduate Portal account; or
- International (IMGs) and United States (USMGs) medical graduates can transfer their transcript from their physiciansapply.ca account.
For current year Canadian medical graduates (CMGs), there is no action required from you. Your medical school will automatically submit your MSPR to CaRMS on your behalf for you to assign.
If your MSPR is in a language other than the program language of English or French, you are required to have the document translated.
For applicants from Québec faculties of medicine, as well as those from other Canadian faculties who had scheduled visiting electives in Québec during this period, we will accept incomplete MSPRs for file review and ranking purposes.
An incomplete MSPR is one that may be missing final assessments from placements expected to be completed by the date of submission but delayed due to the strike. A complete MSPR will not be required as a criterion for file review or ranking for these applicants.
Review Process
Applications submitted after file review has opened on March 17, 2026
Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened on March 17, 2026
Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on March 17, 2026
Interviews
Dates:
- March 26, 2026
Selection Criteria
We review and select applicants based on the submitted package. Only candidates who submit complete applications will be considered for file review.
We select candidates on the basis of a solid academic record, excellent reference letters, strong interpersonal skills, and extracurricular success. A strong interest in Family Medicine and the University of Ottawa must be evident. All applications will be evaluated, and interviews will be offered based on this evaluation.
Program goals
uOttawa strives to produce highly competent graduates that can practice comprehensive Family Medicine anywhere in Canada. Our curriculum is carefully designed to enable graduating residents to:
- care for patients across the lifespan
- ensure a work/life balance centered in wellness
demonstrate professionalism and empathy - hone effective communication skills
- gain and demonstrate quality improvement and primary care research skills
- train according to CanMEDS Family Medicine Principles
- demonstrate appropriate resource utilization and accountability to all members of Canadian society
- ensure they meet educational requirements
Selection process goals
The successful candidate, through a multi-faceted assessment process (including file review and interview process), will be assessed as meeting the threshold criteria established by our program goals. The ultimate goal will be to ensure that the residents selected will be able to work collaboratively with peers, staff, and patients and eventually provide excellent primary care to all Canadians in all jurisdictions
File review process
Review team composition : A team of 15-30 active family medicine preceptors will be reviewing all application files
Average number of applications received by our program in the last five years : 601 +
Average percentage of applicants offered interviews : 51 - 75 %
| File component | Criteria |
|---|---|
| CV | Balance of medicine and non-medicine activities, research, community involvement and accomplishments |
| Electives | See elective criteria below |
| Examinations | FM ProC |
| Extra-curricular | Volunteer activities, and personal achievement are considered in the file review process |
| Leadership skills | Degree of advocacy and organisational management skills will be particularity noted |
| MSPRs | MSPRs are considered during the file review process |
| Personal letters | Life experience related to family medicine; understanding the role of the Family Physician in care |
| Reference documents | We evaluate if and how the applicant achieves components of the CanMEDS framework and their ranking |
| Research/Publications | The quality of research projects/publications and the role the applicant played in the project |
| Transcripts | We evaluate transcripts for academic performance and standing |
| Other file component(s) | Not applicable |
Elective criteria
We encourage applicants to have completed at least one elective in our discipline, however, the program is aware that this might not be possible. We examine the type of electives for equivalency to family medicine experiences.
The University believes that the best residents are those who have been able to explore the breadth of the medical profession through a variety of electives while enrolled in medical school.
It is not a requirement that candidates have completed an elective within our home program.
Interview process
Interview format :
We do not re-schedule interviews for applicants after we have completed the scheduling process.
| Interview components | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Collaboration skills | We evaluate the applicant’s ability to work in a team environment through their past experiences |
| Collegiality | We evaluate the applicant’s ability to foster collegial relationships through their past experiences |
| Communication skills | Ability to communicate during interviews; the ability to speak and answer questions in a clear and organised manner |
| Health advocacy | This component is specifically addressed in the interview process |
| Interest in the discipline | We evaluate the applicant’s knowledge of and passion for Family Medicine |
| Interest in the program | We evaluate the applicant’s knowledge of and interest in the Ottawa program |
| Leadership skills | We evaluate the applicant’s demonstrated leadership ability through their past leadership roles |
| Professionalism | The applicant’s professionalism during the interview and as demonstrated in their past experiences |
| Scholarly activities | We do not evaluate this interview component |
| Other interview component(s) | Not applicable |
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 :Program Highlights
MATCH YOUR PASSION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Welcome
Set in Canada’s capital, the University of Ottawa Family Medicine Residency Program empowers you to become a skilled clinician, authentic leader, and healthy human being. Our learner‑centered culture, rich clinical diversity, and unparalleled access to the outdoors create a training experience that is as inspiring as it is rigorous.
- The University of Ottawa, Department of Family Medicine Community stream refers to community teaching practices sites; we offer placements in 25 community practice sites located in the city of Ottawa area.
- Learners are clinically based in one of community teaching sites and are academically to a community practice for all core educational activities.
- All community sites are affiliated with one of the hospitals located in Ottawa (General or Civic) and offer a variety of specialty and hospital-based Family Medicine opportunities.
- All community-based residents have a rural rotation in each of their years of residency. The balance of the urban and rural skills allows our residents to become well-rounded, clinically competent family physicians.
What makes us different?
- Resident‑driven governance. Trainees sit on every key departmental committee, shaping curriculum, wellness initiatives, and advocacy priorities.
- Tailored flexibility. Design elective blocks and horizontal experiences that match your career goals, from inner‑city health and addictions to women’s health, sports medicine, preventative medicine, or palliative care.
- Urban-rural balance. Two distinct rural rotations (one in each year) ensure you graduate confident to practice anywhere, from downtown clinics to remote communities.
- Bilingual & multicultural practice. Care for patients in English, French, and over 100 other languages. French fluency is required only for our dedicated Montfort Francophone stream. You do not need to be able to speak French to train here.
- Focus on wellness. Ottawa’s trails, rivers, and Gatineau Park are minutes from every teaching site, supporting a whole‑person approach to physician training.
General program structure at a glance
| PGY1 | PGY2 | |
| Core Family Medicine | 6+Continuity Clinic | 4 Blocks + continuity Clinic |
| Rural Family Medicine | 4 Weeks | 4 Weeks |
| Specialty Rotations | Internal Med., Peds ER, Psych, Obstetrics, EM | Internal Med., FM/Peds, Geriatrics, Palliative, FM |
| Electives | 4 Weeks | 8 Weeks |
| Longitudinal Commitments | QI Project, Resident Rounds, Mentorship Meetings | Resident-led teaching, research/advocacy project |
Monthly Academic Full Days bring all residents together for high‑yield clinical updates, procedural skills, simulation, and wellness workshops.
Teaching units
After the CaRMS match, residents rank their preferred site or unit; more than 90 % receive one of their top three choices.
- Civic
- Riverside
- Bruyère
- Primrose
- Community The list of current potential placements can be found here.
Teaching site comparison at a glance
Enhanced skills & PGY‑3 options
Graduates may pursue Certificates of Added Competence or focused skills in:
- Emergency Medicine
- Family Practice Anaesthesia
- Palliative Medicine
- Care of the Elderly
- Addictions Medicine
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Women’s Health & Maternity Care
- GP Oncology
- Indigenous Health
Life in Ottawa
Consistently ranked among the world’s top 25 cities for overall quality of life, Ottawa offers big‑city energy with small‑town friendliness. With daily expenses lower than other large Canadian cities, your call stipend stretches further letting you enjoy everything from museums, live music, and a growing food scene.
Wellness is always within reach. Skate the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink (the Rideau Canal), bike along 800+ kilometres of scenic riverside paths, or escape to nearby Gatineau Park in just 20 minutes for hiking, rock‑climbing, and cross‑country skiing. From Winterlude’s ice sculptures, the Canadian Tulip Festival’s riverbank blooms, Bluesfest’s outdoor concerts, to Canada Day’s fireworks on Parliament Hill, our festival’s keep the city alive in every season.
Ottawa is also one of Canada’s safest and greenest urban centres with commute times under 35 minutes and pollution levels well below the national average. Excellent public schools, two major universities, and a bilingual, multicultural population make the city welcoming for partners, children, and newcomers.
Living here means you can finish your shift at the clinic or hospital, grab a fresh croissant, and still make it to the river to catch a sunset paddle. Here in Ottawa, wellness isn’t just something we talk about, it’s built into everyday life.
We hope you join us and Match Your Passion!
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.
- Our two-year program includes a minimum of ten months of Family Medicine as well as two months in family rural practice settings.
- Residents are required to return to their base practice the equivalent of ½ day each week during their off-service rotations to provide continuity of care to their patients.
- Our curriculum offers a wide-range of clinical opportunities. While all sites follow a common curriculum, each experience is unique. Some of our sites offer an opportunity for integrated curriculum along with the more traditional block time curriculum.
- Department wide academic full days are organized once a month where all resident attend these mandatory sessions.
- All of our clinical teaching settings offer patient centered, continuous and comprehensive care. You will see newborns, infants, children and adults, and provide full prenatal and obstetrical care as well as performing minor surgical procedures in each setting. There will also be exposure to care of the elderly and palliative care.
Training Sites
In this stream, residents are placed with a community preceptor (25 sites) and complete their off service rotations in one of the affiliated Ottawa Hospital sites (Civic Campus or General Campus)
See the description of different sites under Community Urban.
Additional Information
Please note that all selected candidates must be able to communicate effectively in English (oral and written).
Communication Preference
Our preferred manner of communicating with all applicants is via email.
INTERNAL MATCH
Applicants will be accepted into the residency program according to the norms of CaRMS. As soon as the match results are announced, we will be contacting successful candidates to provide us with their top choices of community preceptors they wish to matched to. Historically, most residents get matched to one of their top three choices; we do reserve the right to determine placement according to the capacity of individual training sites.
Please note that in our program it is important that residents have an independent means of transportation to get from their Family Medicine placement to their rotation training sites and to rural practices; public transportation may not be sufficient.
Application reminders
- One personal letter (English or French) covers ALL uOttawa streams. If you’re interested in more than one stream, indicate this in your letter and state the reasons. If you’re applying to the francophone program, write some paragraphs in English and some in French.
- Three Structured Reference Letters are required. Reference letters will be accepted in both languages.
- Internal site matches are completed immediately post‑CaRMS.
- Personal transportation is strongly recommended for our rural placements.
FAQ
- If I apply to several streams within the Family Medicine Ottawa programs will I be expected to have more than one interview? No, only one interview will be conducted and your overall application and interview score will be applied to the other streams.
- If I apply to more than one program do I need to write a different Personal Letter? No, we highly suggest to indicate your interest in more than one program within your letter and state the reasons. If you are applying to the francophone program, you should write certain paragraphs in English and in French.
- Can a letter of recommendation completed in French? Yes, they may be in English or French.
Summary of changes
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