Advocacy, Announcement
Canadian Physiotherapy Association Calls on Federal Government to Expand Physiotherapy Access and Increase Workforce in Budget 2026
Sep 18, 2025
OTTAWA, ON – The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) is urging the federal government to take bold action in Budget 2026 to strengthen Canada’s health-care system by increasing support for physiotherapy.
The CPA’s recent Pre-Budget Submission is structured around a two-pronged approach that calls on the government to expand access to physiotherapy care while simultaneously increasing the supply of trained physiotherapy professionals across Canada. Implementing these recommendations would reduce wait times, improve equitable access, and support high-quality, cost-effective care for Canadians.
Key recommendations within the CPA’s submission include:
- Creating a nationally unified scope of practice for physiotherapists to help reduce wait times, enhance productivity, and modernize public health care.
- Appointing physiotherapy professionals to the Task Force for Public Health Care Innovation to ensure physiotherapy has a voice in key discussions on health-care reform.
- Supporting increased access to pelvic health physiotherapy care to support women’s reproductive health, including pre- and post-natal care.
- Working with provinces to increase the number of physiotherapy education seats in universities, particularly for programs that support rural and remote areas.
- Increasing the number of trained physiotherapy professionals in Canada by investing in attracting and supporting internationally trained professionals.
To read the full Canadian Physiotherapy Association 2026 Pre-Budget Submission and learn more about the CPA’s recommendations, click here.
“All Canadians deserve timely access to care,” said Allison Stene, President, Canadian Physiotherapy Association. “And we know that to meet future demand for care, we need to increase the number of practising physiotherapy professionals in Canada. Our recommendations lay out a clear blueprint for filling this gap, including by expanding education capacity and investing in internationally trained professionals. Supporting these initiatives will be critical to ensuring that all Canadians can access the care they need, now and in the future.”
“Expanding physiotherapy access and workforce capacity isn’t just good for patients — it’s good for the economy,” said Krissy Bell, CEO, Canadian Physiotherapy Association. “These reforms would strengthen health-care delivery, contribute to economic growth, and reduce the $236.3 billion annual economic burden of illness in Canada. The CPA is proud to provide practical, evidence-based recommendations to help shape Budget 2026.”
Quick facts:
- Illness costs the Canadian economy $236.3 billion per year. Physiotherapy is already reducing the financial burden of osteoarthritis, back pain, and coronary heart disease by $232 million per year.
- Increasing access to physiotherapy can further reduce the financial burden across these three diseases by an additional $144 million per year.
- Canada has 29,000+ licensed physiotherapists, with over half in the private sector.
- Workforce demand is expected to grow 70% between 2024–2033, creating 13,000+ new jobs. To meet the OECD average, Canada would need 62% more practising physiotherapists.
- Internationally educated physiotherapists make up 25% of the workforce.
- Access remains a barrier: more than 25% of Canadians needing care over the past decade could not access physiotherapy. Among people with disabilities, this rises to 43%.
- 8 in 10 Canadians recognize the important role physiotherapists play in improving health, mobility, and reducing reliance on pain medication.
Resources:
- The Written Submission for the Standing Committee on Finance’s Pre-budget Consultation
- Physiotherapy Scope of Practice: Optimizing Care for People in Canada (Position Paper)
- The Economic Impact of Physiotherapy in Canada (Deloitte Economic Impact Study)
- Charting the Future of Physiotherapy Care in Canada: Public Input on Access, Standards & Scope
ABOUT THE CPA
The Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) represents physiotherapy professionals, including registered physiotherapists, physiotherapist assistants, physiotherapy technologists, and students across Canada. Physiotherapy professionals provide essential rehabilitative care and treatment, enabling Canadians to live well and actively participate in all facets of their lives.
CONTACT
Gary Stordy
Director, Advocacy
gstordy@physiotherapy.ca.