Doug Kobayashi is the mayor of Colwood, B.C. When his doctor moved away, he decided to try to find a way to attract a new doctor to town, not just for himself but for the whole community. (CBC)
When Doug Kobayashi, mayor of Colwood, B.C., visited his family doctor in 2022, he faced a shocking surprise: the physician was moving away.
“I was absolutely stunned,” Kobayashi recalled. With the city growing rapidly, he knew waiting for a provincial solution wasn’t an option. Instead, he devised a bold approach to attract family doctors, one that may inspire communities across Canada.
Making Doctors Municipal Employees
Kobayashi’s idea was simple but revolutionary. After speaking with doctors about their priorities, he learned they wanted less paperwork, more financial stability, and better work-life balance. His solution: hire doctors as municipal employees.
“Doctors could focus 100% on patient care,” he explained. “We handle administration, staffing, salaries, and benefits.” The model mirrors how the city manages its fire department and RCMP detachment.
Traditionally, family doctors in Canada operate as independent contractors, juggling patient care and the full responsibilities of running a practice. Kobayashi’s approach removes that burden, offering doctors stability while ensuring the community has reliable care.
Filling a Nationwide Gap
Smaller cities across Canada struggle to retain family doctors. According to the Canadian Medical Association’s 2024 survey, more than one in five Canadians — about 6.5 million adults — lack a regular health-care provider. Statistics Canada reported in 2023 that only 83% of adults had a family doctor, down from 85% in previous years, with Quebec faring worst at 75%.
Rural areas face higher burnout rates. A 2020 report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information found that 53% of rural doctors experienced burnout, often covering multiple communities.
Colwood Clinic: A New Model
Kobayashi took his plan to the provincial legislature and B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix. After legal checks and overcoming bureaucratic skepticism, the municipal council approved the clinic. The Colwood Clinic opened earlier this year.
Under the model, the city bills the province for patient care, pays salaries, and covers overhead and staffing. Initial setup cost was $500,000, but Kobayashi assures taxpayers there is no extra financial burden. One doctor is currently practicing, with two more joining in November, and a goal of eight within five years.
Doctors and Patients Reap the Benefits
Dr. Cassandra Stiller, the clinic’s first doctor, moved from London, Ont., drawn by the promise of focusing solely on patient care. She has treated patients who hadn’t seen a doctor in over a decade, diagnosing conditions like hypertension and early-stage cancers.
“It’s been emotional,” she said. “The city handles staffing and rent. I can fully focus on patients.” Patients, like Sheila and Shayne Eldridge, felt immense relief. “It was like winning the lottery,” Sheila said. “Finally having a doctor was an emotional moment.”
Sheila Eldridge, left, and her husband, Shayne Eldridge, are patients of the Colwood Clinic. They had been waiting nearly three years for a family doctor before they got into the clinic. CBC
Inspiring Other Communities
Colwood’s model is gaining national attention. Kamloops is exploring a municipal clinic. Ontario’s Orillia, with 12,000 residents lacking a regular doctor, studied the plan carefully. Mayor Don McIsaac praised the approach as innovative but cited retrofitting costs of $1.5 million as a barrier.
“We haven’t given up on that idea,” McIsaac said. “Colwood nailed it, and we’re still exploring alternatives to get there.”
While some physicians and organizations express caution, noting potential provincial responsibilities and equity concerns, Kobayashi emphasizes the model isn’t for every doctor. Health policy expert Steven Lewis added, “If it spurs other cities to think outside the box, it can save lives. If you build it, they will come.”
For Colwood, the municipal clinic is already transforming access to care, offering a potential blueprint for communities across Canada.
