Simon Fraser University’s new medical school takes in first 48 students

By: The Canadian Press Posted:

Advertisement

Advertise with us

SURREY - The school of medicine at Simon Fraser University in Surrey, B.C., has taken in its first group of students as part of efforts by the government to solve the doctor shortage in the province. 

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

SURREY – The school of medicine at Simon Fraser University in Surrey, B.C., has taken in its first group of students as part of efforts by the government to solve the doctor shortage in the province. 

Four dozen students began their orientation on Wednesday for the year-round curriculum that will allow students to finish with a doctor of medicine degree in three years, instead of four, putting them in residencies as early as 2029.

Premier David Eby says in a statement the school is a long-term solution to train more doctors at home. 

Simon Fraser University is pictured in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, Apr. 16, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Simon Fraser University is pictured in Burnaby, B.C., Tuesday, Apr. 16, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

The current students are in an interim learning space, but the permanent site for the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine in Surrey is expected to be completed by 2030.

While 48 medical students will be in the class of 2026, the province says that number will increase in phases, reaching 120 students a year by 2035. 

The province has been recruiting doctors, bringing in nurse practitioners and allowing pharmacists to assess and prescribe certain medications, but hundreds of thousands of B.C. residents still don’t have a primary care provider. 

The provincial government has committed $41.1 million in annual operational funding for the new school.

Health Minister Josie Osborne says it’s an exciting event. 

“This is a significant moment for health care in British Columbia and the start of a new chapter — training more doctors here at home, strengthening primary care, and building the knowledge and capacity that will serve communities across the province for generations to come.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2026. 

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Report Error Submit a Tip

Advertisement

Learn more about Winnipeg Free Press Advertising solutions

More Stories

Supplied Canada Packers cutline please

Brandonmeat packer thriving on its own

Abiola Odutola 3 minute read Preview

Brandonmeat packer thriving on its own

Abiola Odutola 3 minute read Yesterday at 2:01 AM CDT

BRANDON — Canada Packers has strengthened its business and laid the foundation for future growth during its first year as an independent company, its president says.

The Brandon-based pork producer, separated from Maple Leaf Foods in October 2025, established its own leadership, strategy, systems, culture and identity while continuing operations across its hog production farms and regional hog barns in southern and eastern Manitoba.

The company’s first year was focused on building a successful standalone business while continuing to serve customers, communities and shareholders, president Dennis Organ said.

“Market conditions over the past year have been more challenging than we anticipated when we became a separate entity,” he said in an email. “Despite that, we continued to execute against our priorities, including increasing processing volumes, maintaining disciplined operations and strengthening the business.”

Read
Yesterday at 2:01 AM CDT

’Disgusting’ posters being investigated by police

Morgan Modjeski 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:22 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Police Service major crimes unit is investigating what some have labelled offensive and hateful posters on full-display at a Winnipeg home.

One of the people irked by the display is Gracie Garrett. She’s has lived on Ashburn Street in Winnipeg’s Minto neighbourhood for almost ten years. She’s never felt unsafe in the neighbourhood before, but now, a set of posters plastered on a nearby house are making her feel uneasy.

The five signs, posted facing the street prominently on a front window, contain a slur, refer to Nazis as “heroes” and call Muslims, Christians and other groups “evil.”

Learning of the signs Friday, Garrett said she’ll be reporting the posters to police, as she worries they incite and promote violence.

Goaltender Clay Stevenson during his first NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh on April 17, 2025. (Gene J. Puskar / The Associated Press files)

Stevenson set for first Jets start against Penguins

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Preview

Stevenson set for first Jets start against Penguins

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read 6:55 PM CDT

DETROIT — Clay Stevenson, the stage is yours.

As the Winnipeg Jets wrap up a two-game road trip on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the newest member of the team will be between the pipes after Stuart Skinner got the call in the first two outings of the campaign.

There will be an element of familiarity for Stevenson, as PPG Paints Arena is where he made his first NHL appearance with the Washington Capitals on April 17, 2025.

“There is some comfortability in that building,” said Stevenson, who made 33 saves in a 5-2 loss to the Penguins in that NHL debut. “It’s always a great challenge to play against (Sidney) Crosby and (Evgeni) Malkin and those guys. It’s an honour to get into the crease anytime.”

Read
6:55 PM CDT
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Mike Vogiatzakis does a campaign announcement in front of City Hall on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026. For Joyanne story. Free Press 2026

Mayoral hopefuls trade accusations

Maggie Macintosh 4 minute read Preview

Mayoral hopefuls trade accusations

Maggie Macintosh 4 minute read 7:51 PM CDT

Two mayoral hopefuls traded accusations about meddling in each other’s campaigns as the incumbent rallied supporters for his re-election bid on the eve of advanced polls opening across Winnipeg.

A social media post made by Mike Vogiatzakis, one of 12 nominees in the Oct. 28 race for the top job at city hall, caught the attention of rivals Sunday.

The funeral director took to Facebook midday to criticize Kevin Klein — a competitor he said he thought of “as a friend” until the former Tory cabinet minister made a U-turn after pledging to back the Vogiatzakis campaign.

“Good speaker? Yes. Good looking guy? Sure. Someone I trust now? Absolutely not,” he wrote in a lengthy post.

Read
7:51 PM CDT

News briefs for Sunday, October 4, 2026

2 minute read Updated: 6:25 PM CDT

A collection of breaking news briefs filed on Sunday, October 4, 2026

Shooting suspect arrested after nearly 4 years

4:45 PM

A suspect has been arrested in a January 2022 shooting in Winnipeg.

May be whiff of truth to ex’s odour ardour

Maureen Scurfield 5 minute read Yesterday at 2:01 AM CDT

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I ran into an old boyfriend I used to curl on a team with, and we went for drinks. We’ve been almost eight years apart, and I couldn’t remember why we broke up, as we always had such a great time together.

It wasn’t until the second date — this time on a weekend — that it came back to me, with a jolt. Pee-yew! I remembered he doesn’t use deodorant on weekends. Why? He enjoys his own body odour. I recalled that a bit too late, and it was just as awful as ever! I went home early.

Tonight, he called and I refused him another date. I said, “Think back. You remember why we broke up?” Then he said, “Oh yeah, you hated my no-deodorant weekend policy. Well, guess what? Some women don’t mind!” I said I really doubted that, and that ended the conversation. Miss L., wouldn’t any women find stinky underarms offensive?

— Sensitive Nose, Fort Richmond