 | |
| Established | 1867 |
|---|---|
| Type | Professional association |
| Purpose | Advocacy on national health and medical matters |
| Headquarters | Ottawa,Ontario, Canada |
Region served | Canada |
Official language | English,French |
President | Dr. Margot Burnell (2025-2026) |
President-Elect | Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi (2026-2027) |
Past-President | Dr. Joss Reimer (2024-2025) |
| Alex Munter | |
| Website | www |
TheCanadian Medical Association (CMA;French:Association médicale canadienne, AMC) is a national, voluntary association representingphysicians andmedical learners in Canada. It engages in policy advocacy and collaborates with provincial and territorial medical associations onhealth-related matters.
CMA publishes theCanadian Medical Association Journal (often abbreviated asCMAJ) which is apeer-reviewedmedical journal that includes original clinical research, commentaries, and reviews of clinical topics, health policy, and practice updates.[1]
According to its 2024 strategic plan,Impact 2040, the CMA states that its vision is “a vibrant profession and a healthy population.”
The plan outlines goals such as supporting accessible health systems, promoting well-being within the medical profession, and addressing barriers to equitable health outcomes across Canada[2]
The CMA represents Canadian physicians and medical learners across stages of training and practice. It works with provincial and territorial medical associations and other national organizations on shared policy priorities. At its 2025 AGM, the CMA reported 72,000 readers ofCMAJ.[3] and announced plans to simplify categories of membership in order to reduce administrative complexity.[3]
Efforts to form a national medical association date back to 1844, when Quebec physician Dr. Joseph Painchaud and colleagues discussed ways to support physicians and their families.[4] There were false starts in attempts to form an association, but soon after Confederation, practicing physicians were successful in developing a national body.
A formal meeting to establish the Canadian Medical Association took place in Quebec City on October 9 to 11, 1867, with 164 physicians attending to discuss medical education and licensure.[5][6][7]Sir Charles Tupper, later Prime Minister of Canada, served as the association’s first president.[8]
TheCMA Code of Ethics and Professionalism has existed in one form or another since 1868. As recently as 2015 this document was considered by the CMA to be "arguably the most important document produced by the CMA. It has a long and distinguished history of providing ethical guidance to Canada's physicians. The Code is reviewed and updated periodically with the most recent revision being undertaken in 2025 at the direction of the CMA Board.[9]
In its first 25 years, meeting attendance was small. There was a notice of motion in 1894 to disband it and in 1921, the association faced insolvency.[10]
TheMontreal Medical Journal became theCanadian Medical Association Journal in 1911.[4]
The CMA played a role in the establishment of theRoyal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, theCollege of Family Physicians of Canada, theCanadian Medical Protective Association, and theMedical Council of Canada.[11][12][13][14]
The association participated in public health responses to the1918 Spanish Flu, the 2002SARS outbreak, and the 2009-10H1N1 influenza pandemic.[15]
In the 1930s, the CMA contributed funds toward the creation of theCanadian Cancer Society (CCS), using proceeds from donations made to a national jubilee fund forKing George V’s silver jubilee.[16]
Since the 1950s, the CMA has publicly opposedtobacco use and supported policies restricting tobacco marketing in Canada.[17]
In 1957, the CMA helped develop theRegistered Retirement Savings Plan, aimed at improving retirement security for Canadians.[18] It later created MD Financial Management to provide financial services for physicians and their families. The CMA sold it to Scotiabank in 2018 for $2.6 billion, under a 10-year collaboration agreement — a decision that drew both support and criticism within the profession.[19]
In 2018, the CMA withdrew from theWorld Medical Association (WMA) in protest over plagiarism concerns involving the incoming WMA president’s speech.[20][21]
On September 18, 2024, the CMA issued an apology for its role and the broader medical profession’s involvement in harms to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada’s health system.[22]
The CMA engages in policy advocacy on health issues affecting Canadians the medical profession. It develops policy positions through consultations with members, stakeholder organizations, and scientific reviews.[23][24][25][26]
Areas of focus have included:
Following the 2015Supreme Court of Canada decision that struck down theCriminal Code's absolute prohibition on physician-assisted dying,[30] the CMA developed guiding principles for discussions with members and the federal government. The association contributed to the development of MAID legislation through submissions to federal committees and Health Canada..[31]
The CMA’s policy emphasizes respect for patient dignity and the rights of physicians to act according to their conscience — whether to participate in or decline involvement in MAID.
The CMA supports the goal of ensuring access to medically necessary pharmaceuticals that are safe, effective, and affordable.[32]
It is a member of the Pan-Canadian Collaborative on Education for Improved Opioid Prescribing, which promotes evidence-based prescribing practices.[33][34][35][36]
The association has submitted evidence to parliamentary committees on cannabis policy, identifying health risks and recommending measures to protect children and youth following theCannabis Act.[37][38][39][40]
The CMA has examined the role of digital technologies in improving access to care, particularly in rural and remote regions in Canada.
In 2019, it joined the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Family Physicians of Canada to form a virtual care task force, which issued reports in 2020 and 2022 on virtual health implementation. In 2024, the CMA collaborated with these partners and Canada Health Infoway on a report concerning health data interoperability.[41]
The CMA conducts the National Physician Health Survey (NPHS) — a benchmark for physician wellness across Canada. The survey measures rates of burnout, anxiety, depression and other forms of psychological distress among doctors and medical learners. It was conducted in 2017, 2021 and 2025.Preliminary results from the 2025 survey show after the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors are still struggling with excessive workloads, exhaustion and burnout — leading some to reduce clinical hours or consider leaving practice altogether.
The CMA Board of Directors includes 19 members, representing physicians, residents, medical students, and a lay representative. The board meets four times a year and sets the association’s policy direction.[42]
In 2018, the association launched the CMA Patient Voice, a group of 12 individuals that provide a patient’s perspective to the CMA’s work.[43] The association holds a public annual general meeting to review financial statements and discuss business matters.[44]
The CMA also established atIndigenous Guiding Circle of First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders, experts, Elders and Knowledge Keepers to guide its work in advancing truth, reconciliation and equity in health care for Indigenous Peoples.
CMA Impact Inc. oversees business and operations aligned with the CMA’s strategic priorities.[45]
The CMA Foundation provides charitable funding to registered Canadian health charities physicians support initiatives.[46]
The CMAJ Group publishes a range of peer-reviewed publications that support physicians and the medical profession.[47]
