Physician Incentive Program Increased To $200,000 To Attract More Family Physicians To Rural And Northern Saskatchewan

Released on March 15, 2023

$200,000 Incentive Over Five Years Is Among The Most Competitive Incentives In Canada

Starting April 1, 2023, the Government of Saskatchewan is offering an enhanced Rural Physician Incentive Program (RPIP) to help attract and retain more family physicians to rural and northern communities across Saskatchewan. The total incentive is now up to $200,000 over five years, more than four times the amount that was previously offered.

"Saskatchewan is once again leading the nation with ambitious solutions to addressing the health human resource challenges that Saskatchewan, Canada, and the rest of the world are facing," Premier Scott Moe said, who announced the enhanced incentive at the 2023 SARM Annual Convention and Trade Show today. "Our government recognizes the challenge of attracting doctors to rural and remote areas of the province, and this increased incentive will enhance our ability to attract more rural physicians and meet that challenge."

The $47,000 total incentive that was previously offered is increasing to $200,000 to help attract more family physicians to rural and northern communities across Saskatchewan. To incentivize retention, the length of the program is increasing from four years to five years. Eligibility for the incentive is also expanding beyond new graduates and will now include physicians practicing in rural and northern communities who have been assessed through the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment Program (SIPPA).

"The enhanced incentive of up to $200,000 over five years will help attract more family physicians to rural and northern communities across Saskatchewan," Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley said. "Family physicians play an important role in rural and northern communities because they also support emergency departments, acute care beds, and other important services provided by local health care facilities."

The Rural Physician Incentive Program first launched in 2013-14 to incentivize recent graduates to take up practice in rural and northern communities across the province. 

More information on the enhanced RPIP program, including program eligibility, can be found at saskatchewan.ca/rural-physician-incentive.

-30-

For more information, contact: