York University’s upcoming medical school is set to open in Vaughan in 2028, offering 80 undergraduate and 102 postgraduate seats.
NEWMARKET – The Ontario government is contributing $55.8 million toward the establishment of the province’s first medical school focused on training family doctors, which will be located in York Region.
This funding will aid in the planning and operations of York University’s new medical school in Vaughan, slated to begin operations in 2028.
Lisa Phillips, interim president and vice-chancellor of York University, expressed their gratitude for the support.
“This will be a school where physicians are trained for the health system Ontarians need. Together with our hospital and other health-care partners, we are building a community-based model of medical education that will expand access to care across northern Toronto, York Region, Simcoe County, Muskoka and beyond as we move toward accreditation and prepare to welcome our inaugural class in 2028,” she stated in a news release.
York University has been working to gather funds for several years to bring this school to life. In November 2025, York Region council approved a $25 million contribution toward the project, which led to an additional property tax rate increase of 0.06 percent. At that time, Newmarket Mayor John Taylor noted that this funding would help gain support from other government levels.
“If we don’t play the role, if we don’t step in and fill this void, then we won’t get critical projects,” Taylor remarked back then.
The provincial funding will cover initial planning activities such as accreditation processes, curriculum design, faculty recruitment, and more. Initially starting with 80 undergraduate seats and 102 postgraduate seats, the school aims to expand capacity eventually reaching 240 undergraduate seats and 293 postgraduate seats at full capacity.
“Ontario-trained family doctors are the backbone of our health-care system, providing compassionate care for our loved ones from everyday checkups to life’s greatest challenges,” said Nolan Quinn, minister of colleges, universities, research excellence and security. “This investment will ensure that Ontario has a strong pipeline of family care providers to deliver excellent care for decades to come.”
With York University’s new addition, Ontario will have eight medical schools overall with a combined total of 1,292 undergraduate students and 1,739 postgraduates once all expansions are completed by 2033. Starting this fall semester, every medical school within Ontario must allocate at least 95 percent of its undergraduate spaces specifically for residents of Ontario; only five percent can be reserved for applicants from elsewhere in Canada.
According to previous statements from York University officials, it’s expected that students from this new school will complete their residencies at hospitals throughout York Region like Southlake Health located in Newmarket. The campus is going up near Mackenzie Health’s Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital.
“Leading-edge care starts with the people who provide it – highly skilled physicians and health-care professionals with a strong medical education,” said Dr. Paul Woods CEO of Southlake Health in a news release. “Southlake is proud to partner with York University to bring this new medical school to life and build a stronger more connected health system for generations to come.”
The Ontario government had also invested $9 million back in 2024 towards initial design work for the upcoming facility. They continue working on initiatives aimed at increasing doctor availability through programs like a new grant launching in fall 2026 designed specifically for medical students who commit themselves practicing family medicine anywhere within Ontario over five years after graduation.
“Ontario will continue taking bold decisive action protecting its healthcare system while growing its highly skilled workforce ensuring families receive high-quality healthcare closer home long into future,” declared officials from provincial government.
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