The program is a municipal initiative designed to attract new family physicians to Clarington by offering financial support, matched by qualifying clinics, to help them establish their practice locally.
Physician Recruitment Incentive Program
Supporting access to quality healthcare in Clarington
Clarington is committed to ensuring residents have access to high-quality, local healthcare services. As one of Ontario’s fastest-growing communities, we recognize the urgent need to attract more family physicians to meet the needs of our population.
To help address this challenge, the Municipality has launched the Physician Recruitment Incentive Program, designed to support new family doctors as they establish their practices in Clarington.
About the program
The Physician Recruitment Incentive Program provides financial support to help new family physicians set up their practice in Clarington. Starting a medical practice comes with significant costs, and this program helps alleviate those financial pressures by offering matching funds over a flexible five-year period – making Clarington a more attractive place for physicians to live and work.
Key features
- $25,000 incentive provided through Clarington’s Economic Development Reserve Fund.
- $25,000 matching contribution from participating local clinics, provided over a flexible five-year period.
- Clinic contributions can be made in cash or through in-kind support such as discounted overhead (e.g. rent reductions, electronic records management software licenses, administrative staff).
- Total support of $50,000 per physician
- Physicians must roster at least 1,000 patients within three years and commit to practicing locally for a minimum of five years.
- If a physician leaves before the five-year term, a prorated portion of the municipal incentive must be repaid.
Working together for community health
This program is open to all eligible medical clinics in Clarington that meet the program’s criteria. It complements the Region of Durham and Lakeridge Health’s Docs for Durham initiative to attract and retain family physicians across Durham.
By investing in physician recruitment, Clarington is taking proactive steps to:
- Reduce wait times for residents.
- Improve access to family healthcare.
- Support the long-term health and well-being of our community.
Apply today!
For more information about the Physician Recruitment Incentive Program and to apply, please contact:
Glen Macfarlane
Economic Development Officer
905-623-3379 ext. 2446
Frequently asked questions
What is the Physician Recruitment Incentive Program?
Why is Clarington offering financial incentives to physicians?
Starting a medical practice involves significant upfront costs, and the first year can be financially challenging for new doctors. This program helps ease that burden, making Clarington a more attractive place to live and work—while improving access to healthcare for residents.
Each recruited physician receives a $25,000 incentive from the Municipality, which is matched by the participating clinic, for a total of $50,000 in support.
What are the requirements for physicians to receive the incentive?
To qualify, physicians must:
- Roster at least 1,000 patients.
- Commit to practising in Clarington for a minimum of five years.
- Repay the incentive if they leave before the five-year term.
- Commit to working in the clinic for a minimum of 24 hours per week.
- Must not have had an active practice in Durham Region prior to coming to Clarington.
Which clinics are eligible to participate?
Any medical clinic seeking to hire a family physician in Clarington that agrees to match the municipal contribution and meet the program’s criteria is eligible to participate.
Funding comes from Clarington’s Economic Development Reserve Fund, which was established to support initiatives that benefit the community’s growth and well-being.
How does this program relate to the Region of Durham’s recruitment efforts?
Clarington’s program complements the Region of Durham’s broader recruitment strategy through the Docs for Durham initiative. While the regional program promotes Durham as a whole, Clarington’s initiative provides direct incentives to bring physicians specifically to our community.
How can I find out if a new physician is accepting patients?
Updates about newly recruited physicians, including clinic locations and contact information, will be shared on this web page and through @InvestClarington social media channels.
Contact Us
Address: 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6
Phone: 905-623-3379
TTY: 1-844-790-1599
