We Are AFHTO
At the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario – or just AFHTO for short – we’re on a mission to make primary care better for everyone in Ontario, both patients and those working in primary care teams.
We're a hub for collaboration in primary healthcare, where evidence-based practice is shared and a community of innovators unite to transform the system.
We advocate for fair, sustainable funding to ensure primary care teams have the resources needed to deliver top-tier care. Together, with nearly 200 organizations of almost 5,000 interprofessional healthcare providers, we’re leading the charge to create a stronger, more equitable healthcare system for Ontario.
We believe in the power of team-based primary care to change lives. Our teams have the passion and the skills to help every Ontarian get connected to the care they deserve.
Bright Lights Awards – Celebrating Innovation
Showcasing the power of primary care teams.
Discover this year’s winners and learn how teams across Ontario are delivering better access, better outcomes, and better patient experiences.
Our North Star Report
Creating a Future-Focused Primary Care System Together
Aligned with Ontario’s vision for primary care, AFHTO is committed to building high-performing Primary Care Teams that provide compassionate, comprehensive care, ensuring timely and equitable access for every Ontarian.
Save the Date – AFHTO 2026 Conference
The Power of Primary Care
Mark your calendar for October 14–16, 2026! Join primary care leaders, teams, and partners from across Ontario for two days of learning, connection, and innovation. Stay tuned for theme, speakers, and early-bird registration.
2026 Pre-Budget Submission
Our shared impact
Read AFHTO’s recommendations to government on how we can collectively achieve the target of attaching two million more Ontarians by 2029.
ONE UNIFIED VOICE
These numbers show how our teams are improving health and strengthening communities across Ontario.
Make up our membership – which includes 2700+ family physicians, 450 nurse practitioners, 500+ nurses, and 1300+ interprofessional healthcare providers.
Are being cared for by our primary care teams, and 400,000 more through our unattached clinics – that’s ~4 million Ontarians!
Was announced in 2025 to support primary care expansion – AFHTO’s longstanding advocacy efforts in collaboration with many other professional associations and partners have led to this historic investment.
Looking to work in a primary care team? Check out job opportunities across AFHTO members here!
MEMBER IMPACT
Real examples of how AFHTO members are advocating for change across Ontario
Discover Our Programs
Explore our practical programs and resources to support your work in primary care
NEWS & EVENTS
Stay up to date on the latest updates, opportunities, and upcoming AFHTO events
What are our members saying?
Local Leader Duff Sprague from Peterborough FHT flags wage and funding pressures at Ontario pre-budget hearings
“Sprague told the committee that clinician salaries at family health teams have lagged far behind public sector increases, noting a 2023 compensation study found primary care roles are paid 15 to 40 per cent below market value.”
Sarah Milner from Central Lambton FHT presents to Ministry of Finance
Sarah presented at the 2026 Pre-Budget Consultation, using her three minutes to clearly articulate AFHTO’s priorities for primary care and reinforce them through written submissions shared with Parliamentary Assistants Michelle Cooper and Steven Pinsonneault.
Mary Lynn Dingwell from North Shore FHT, Presents to the Ontario Legislature in Thunder Bay
“In the last five to six years, we’ve struggled to fill family health team and physician positions and can no longer offer access appointments with primary care practitioners – this places extra strain on the physicians as people will go to the emergency department, which under (the rural funding model) is staffed by the same primary care physicians.”
Members from Minto Mapleton and Listowel and Area FHT at the Stratford Consultation
“The workforce of Family Health Teams is critically unstable with vacancy and staff turnover rates reaching 40%. These professionals leave the FHT to work in other care settings where they make more money doing the same job for the same hours.”
Cheryl Dobinson from Taddle Creek FHT at the Toronto Pre-Budget Consultation.
“The widening wage gap is causing Family Health Teams to experience challenges in recruitment and retention, staffing shortages, vacancies in positions, staff feeling undervalued and demoralized – all of which has an impact on patient care and stability of health care system.”
City of Kawartha lakes FHT speaks at the Peterborough Pre-Budget Consultation
“It’s hard to staff the teams we have, let alone expand… Family health teams province-wide are losing staff while we wait for money that’s already been budgeted.”
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
Join the AFHTO community. Stay informed, get involved, and benefit from advocacy, resources, and connections that strengthen team-based primary care across Ontario.