The Yukon government is taking steps to address a shortage of primary care providers in the territory by expanding a family medicine residency program, a move that aims to improve access to doctors in communities like Dawson City. Announced on March 30, 2026, the territory is adding two new resident physicians to its training program this July, including one local Yukon resident, to help grow a long-term medical workforce.
This initiative is a partnership between the Government of Yukon, the University of Alberta, the Yukon Medical Association, and the Yukon Hospital Corporation. Funded through the 2026 budget, the expanded program is expected to support approximately 3,800 patient appointments during the 2026-27 fiscal year. The program builds on a pilot launched in July 2025 designed to help doctors gain specialized experience in northern, rural, and remote practice settings.
Dr. Derek Bryant, president of the Yukon Medical Association, stated that training doctors locally is one of the most effective ways to strengthen recruitment and retention. This focus is critical, as the territory has historically struggled to retain physicians hired from outside the region. For example, during 2024, none of the 153 temporary doctors brought in to fill gaps across the territory chose to stay or return to work in the Yukon.
For residents of Dawson City, the effort to train doctors who are familiar with northern realities is vital. The Dawson City Community Hospital, operated by the Yukon Hospital Corporation, provides round-the-clock emergency care but does not have specialists on-site, requiring patients to rely on referrals to Whitehorse. With approximately 4,154 Yukoners currently without a regular family doctor, the residency program is a strategic move to provide more stable, long-term care for patients who currently rely on intermittent services.
To further encourage students to build their careers in the territory, the Yukon Health Care and Social Services Bursary offers financial support of up to $5,000 for medical students and $7,500 for residents, provided they sign a commitment to work within the Yukon. Minister of Health and Social Services Brad Cathers is overseeing the expansion as part of the government’s broader strategy to stabilize the health workforce.
