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Emergency room staffing crisis deepens as 1 in 10 ER doctors quit or cut hours

Published July 28, 2026 at 8:32 AM UTC

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A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) reveals that nearly one in ten emergency room doctors in Canada are leaving the profession or reducing their hours, driven by severe burnout and a sense that the system is broken. The survey, which gathered responses from over 1,100 emergency physicians, found that 10% plan to quit entirely within two years, and an additional 30% are cutting back their shifts. The findings come amid growing concerns about wait times and access to emergency care across the country. The crisis is most acute in rural and remote areas, where staffing shortages are already forcing some ERs to close temporarily. The study's lead author, Dr. Lisa Calder, said the situation is 'unsustainable' and called for immediate action to address the root causes: overcrowding, underfunding, and lack of support for mental health. For patients, this means longer waits and potential closures of emergency departments, especially during peak seasons like flu and COVID-19 surges. Federal and provincial governments are under pressure to respond, but so far, no comprehensive plan has been announced. The CMAJ study adds urgency to ongoing negotiations between doctors' unions and health authorities, and it raises questions about the long-term viability of Canada's emergency care model.