Canadians Weigh in on the Future of Physiotherapy: National Poll Highlights Key Public Expectations for Care

Ottawa, ON – The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) is proud to release the results of a landmark national survey exploring public perceptions of physiotherapy care in Canada. Conducted in December 2024 and incorporating the opinions of more than 1,500 members of the public, Charting the Future of Physiotherapy Care in Canada: Public Input on Access, Standards & Scope offers crucial and timely insights into how Canadians experience physiotherapy, what they understand about the profession, the barriers they have faced in accessing physiotherapy, and their support for the expansion of physiotherapy’s role in the health-care system.

This polling initiative is part of a multi-year strategy that brings together research, consultation, and advocacy from coast to coast to coast to demonstrate the immense economic and social value of physiotherapy. The insights gained from the report will inform the CPA’s federal advocacy efforts moving forward and shape its 2025 Pre-Budget Submission to the Department of Finance. 

Key Findings: 

• High satisfaction, high trust: The vast majority of physiotherapy care recipients report being “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their care, and having a high level of trust in the expertise of physiotherapy professionals. 

• Access remains a serious issue: Millions of Canadians struggle to access physiotherapy services, with persons with disabilities facing the most significant challenges. 

• The Canadian public supports an expanded role for physiotherapy: There is strong and consistent support for expanding the scope of practice for physiotherapists, particularly in line with similar expansions for nurses and pharmacists. 

• The system is under stress: Canadians overwhelmingly perceive the health-care system as overburdened and in need of reform. Physiotherapy is seen as part of the solution. 

• Canadians are ready to contribute: The public’s lived experience with physiotherapy, combined with their understanding and trust of the profession, positions them as meaningful contributors to the conversation on future care models. 

“This data confirms what we’ve long known: physiotherapy transforms lives, but systemic barriers prevent too many Canadians from benefiting from the physiotherapy care they need,” said Allison Stene, President, CPA Board of Directors. “As the federal government looks to invest nearly $200 billion to strengthen health care in Canada, we urge policymakers to work to remove these barriers, and to prioritize physiotherapy as a valuable solution that not only eases the burden on the health-care system and saves the Canadian economy hundreds of millions of dollars each year, but improves the lives of all Canadians.” 

Building on the strength of its two recent reports — The Economic Impact of Physiotherapy in Canada and Physiotherapy Scope of Practice: Optimizing Care for People in Canada — the CPA continues to demonstrate that the physiotherapy profession offers immense social and economic value to the Canadian health-care system. The CPA’s evidence-informed approach to advocacy has already supported scope of practice expansions in provinces across Canada, as well as key policy changes such as a physiotherapist being appointed to the National Seniors Council, giving the profession a direct voice in policy-making for older Canadians, and Canada’s Student Loan Forgiveness program being expanded to include physiotherapists. 

“It’s clear that Canadians want more access, more innovation, and more support when it comes to their health-care system,” said Krissy Bell, Chief Executive Officer, CPA. “And that they want physiotherapy professionals to be part of the solution. As the federal government explores long-term strategies to relieve pressure on the health-care system, the CPA will continue to advocate for physiotherapy as a cost-effective, preventative, and person-centred model of care that delivers powerful results for our economy, our health system, and our citizens.”  

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CONTACT: 

Caitlin Drake Smith 
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
Canadian Physiotherapy Association  
cdrakesmith@physiotherapy.ca