Ontario’s official route to a family doctor is Health Care Connect, run by the Province. A Care Connector searches on your behalf for a family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team accepting new patients in your community (ontario.ca).
How to register
- Online through ontario.ca/page/find-family-doctor-or-nurse-practitioner, or by phone at 811 (TTY 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. English or French.
- You can register yourself and your whole family.
- You need your contact information, a valid Ontario health card number, and basic health information (for example pregnancy or a child under 2, chronic conditions, disability). How much you share is up to you, but it helps the match.
- The mailing address must be the one linked to your health card. An expiring health card can delay your referral.
- If you used Health Care Connect before, you can only re-register by calling 811.
What happens next
- You get a letter confirming your registration. You may be called to verify details and share preferences (preferences can lengthen the wait).
- People with more urgent needs are matched first. Registering does not guarantee a quick match.
- When matched, you get a referral letter; the clinician contacts you for a first appointment, after which you both decide whether to continue.
- Keep your registration updated (address, phone, health card, health needs) online or via 811. You can withdraw any time.
Search for openings yourself at the same time
Many clinics announce openings on their own websites. Our family doctor directory lists GTA clinics that have publicly said they are accepting patients, with the exact quote, source link and last-checked date. Browse by city: Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Whitby, Oshawa and more.
Tips
- Call clinics; websites lag behind. Ask whether they require an intro (“meet and greet”) visit and whether they have catchment rules.
- Ontario clinics generally ask you not to use outside walk-in clinics once rostered, so ask the clinic’s policy.
- While you wait, see walk-in, virtual urgent care and pharmacist options.
More guides
Last checked: October 13, 2026. Rules and phone numbers change; confirm with the official source links.