As the political landscape in the United States shifted under President Donald Trump, a significant number of American doctors, like Michael, an emergency room physician, have made the difficult decision to relocate to Canada for their medical practice.
Michael and his family left the U.S. earlier this year to work in a small-town hospital in Canada. The motivation behind his move lies in his perception of a country increasingly complicit in violence and cruelty, which he has experienced in his medical career.
“Part of being a physician is being kind to people who are in their weakest place,” he expressed. “And I feel like our country is devolving to really step on people who are weak and vulnerable.”
Michael is among a growing trend of U.S. doctors escaping the political climate shaped by the Trump administration. Following Trump’s election and subsequent reelection, the interest in obtaining medical licensure in Canada has skyrocketed, according to the Medical Council of Canada.
Data indicates that the number of American doctors creating accounts on physiciansapply.ca, a critical step for licensing, surged by over 750% in just seven months. In comparison to 71 applicants during the same timeframe the previous year, 615 American doctors sought to create accounts in the current period.
Recruiting firms have similarly observed this trend, with CanAm Physician Recruiting noting a 65% increase in inquiries from American doctors seeking employment in Canada within the first few months of 2025. Inquiries have been so frequent that the company has received contact from up to 15 American doctors daily.
John Philpott, CEO of CanAm, highlighted the unusual reluctance from some doctors to even identify as Americans while discussing their plans to emigrate. “They state that right out of the gate: ‘I have to leave this country. It is not what it used to be,’” he said.
This mass exodus reflects a broader discontentment with the healthcare landscape and governance in the United States. Many American doctors are motivated by their desire for a more compassionate and supportive healthcare system, which Canada offers through its universal publicly funded healthcare model.
Previously, American doctors faced challenges in practicing medicine in Canada due to differences in medical education standards. However, Canadian regulatory bodies have eased some licensing hurdles, with expedited processes for U.S.-trained physicians being reported.
The changes in U.S. policy under Trump have also fueled concerns among health professionals. The administration’s controversial actions—like appointing individuals opposed to standard care practices and neglecting public health—have increased unease within the medical community.
Both the White House and the Trump administration have not provided any comments regarding this trend of American medical professionals leaving the country. When approached for a statement on the doctors relocating, White House spokesperson Kush Desai asked for specific statistics regarding citizenship status but did not elaborate further.
Michael cites the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol as a significant turning point in his perception of America’s trajectory. He described the deterioration of civil discourse and a prevailing embrace of radical politics as his main reasons for leaving.
“I had a conversation with my family about how Biden was going to be a one-term president and we were still headed in a direction of being increasingly radicalized toward the right and an acceptance of vigilantism,” he recounted.
Michael’s path to relocating took about a year, as he navigated the licensing process in Canada. He reported that while the process was bureaucratically complex, it was no more difficult than obtaining a medical license in the U.S.
Having settled in Canada, Michael receives daily messages from American doctors seeking advice about making a similar move. This sentiment reflects a growing urgency among his peers for a safer, more supportive environment for practicing medicine.
Similarly, Hippocratic Adventures, a business aimed at helping American doctors practice abroad, has observed a substantial shift in its customer base. Co-founder Ashwini Bapat noted that the company has witnessed a shift from adventurous seekers to those looking for immediate escape routes. After Trump’s reelection, inquiries for assistance surged dramatically, marking a stark change in the motivation for relocating.
Bapat remarked, “Previously it had been about adventure. But the biggest spike that we saw, for sure, hands down, was when Trump won reelection in November. And then Inauguration Day. And basically every single day since then.”
In response to the influx of American doctors, at least one Canadian province has proactively marketed itself as an alternative destination. Doctors Manitoba initiated a campaign aimed at attracting American physicians, particularly those from states associated with far-right policies, promising “zero political interference in physician-patient relationships.”
Alison Carleton, who moved from Iowa to Manitoba in 2017, echoed sentiments of dissatisfaction with the U.S. healthcare system, stating her reasons for leaving were partly due to her horror at Trump’s initial election. She now enjoys operating a low-stress clinic without the burdens of a profit-driven healthcare system.
Since her relocation, Carleton has made a significant personal commitment by renouncing her American citizenship. She encourages her friends still in the U.S. to consider similar moves, stating, “People I know have said, ‘You left just in time.’ I tell people, ‘I know. When are you going to move?’”
This burgeoning trend of American doctors to Canada reflects deep-seated concerns regarding healthcare, political stability, and societal kindness. As more physicians like Michael, Alison, and countless others reconsider their professional and personal futures, the hope for a more humane healthcare environment grows stronger across borders.
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