The Government of Yukon is expanding the family medicine residency pilot program and advancing work toward establishing a permanent program.
The program will continue to be delivered in partnership with the University of Alberta, the Yukon Medical Association, the Yukon physician community and the Yukon Hospital Corporation.
This initiative is part of the Yukon government's commitment to develop more opportunities for pathways to health education, including a family medicine residency program.
Budget 2026 supports two additional resident physicians to complete a significant portion of their residency training in the Yukon while receiving accredited training through the University of Alberta. Two residents have been confirmed to join the program in July 2026, including one Yukoner. With this expansion, the pilot program will support approximately 3,800 patient appointments during the 2026-27 fiscal year.
From March 25 to 27, University of Alberta faculty visited the Yukon to work with partners on planning for a future permanent program in the territory. During their visit, they met with health officials, Yukon Hospital Corporation representatives and physician preceptors and visited a resident currently completing part of their training in the Yukon.
The Yukon government will continue working with partners to build the capacity needed to support a permanent family medicine residency program.
"Expanding family medicine residency training helps strengthen our health care system and supports recruitment and retention of doctors who understand the needs of Yukoners. We are pleased to work with the University of Alberta, the Yukon Medical Association and the Yukon Hospital Corporation to grow this program and build the foundation for a permanent family medicine residency program."
Minister of Health and Social Services Brad Cathers
"The Yukon Medical Association is proud to support the continued expansion of family medicine residency training in the Yukon. Training resident family doctors is one of the most effective strategies we have to strengthen recruitment and retention, while also improving access to care for patients. Importantly, it allows learners to develop the unique skills needed to practice in northern, rural and remote contexts - skills that are essential to providing high-quality, culturally-safe and person-centred care in our communities."
President of Yukon Medical Association Derek Bryant
"We are proud to partner with the Government of Yukon, the Yukon Medical Association and the Yukon Hospital Corporation to expand Family Medicine residency training opportunities in the North. Training family medicine residents within Yukon communities allows them to build meaningful connections while gaining experience in the unique realities of northern practice. These experiences strengthen the northern health workforce by preparing physicians who understand community needs and by supporting long-term recruitment and retention of family doctors in the territory. The University of Alberta values its long-standing collaborations across northern Canada and is grateful to work with Yukon partners to grow this program together."
Residency Program Director for the University of Alberta Family Medicine Dr. Michelle Morros and Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine for the University of Alberta Dr. Samantha Horvey
Quick facts
- Funding included as part of Budget 2026 is subject to legislative approval.
- The Yukon-Edmonton Family Medicine Residency Pilot is a partnership between the Government of Yukon, the University of Alberta, the Yukon Medical Association and the Yukon Hospital Corporation.
- In 2025, the Government of Yukon, Yukon Medical Association and the University of Alberta launched the Yukon-Edmonton Family Medicine Residency Pilot. The program's first resident, a Yukoner, began their training in 2025.
- The pilot is expanding to include two additional residents expected to begin training in July 2026.
- Training physicians in the Yukon supports the goals of the territory's Health Human Resources Strategy by helping to improve recruitment, retention and access to primary care for Yukoners and implements the government's specific commitment to a family medicine residency program.
