Canada Student Loan forgiveness program expansion
Progress on student loan forgiveness for pharmacists stalled as CPhA and CAPSI call for urgent action
In early 2025, the federal government proposed expanding the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program to include pharmacists working in rural and remote communities. This long-awaited change was outlined in draft regulations published in the Canada Gazette (Part I, February 15, 2025). The proposal recognized the essential role pharmacists play in delivering front-line care in underserved areas and aimed to support recruitment and retention through student debt relief.
CPhA participated in the public consultation process, voicing strong support for the inclusion of pharmacists and urging timely implementation. However, despite broad stakeholder support, the proposed changes have not yet been enacted. With the recent change in government and no mention of the initiative in the 2025 federal budget, progress on this important policy has stalled.
In November 2025, CPhA and CAPSI sent a joint letter to the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment and Social Development, urging the government to move forward with the program expansion without further delay.
CPhA continues to advocate for the prompt implementation of this program, emphasizing that extending loan forgiveness to pharmacists is a critical step in strengthening the health workforce and improving access to care across Canada.
Background information
The Government of Canada offers Canada Student Loan forgiveness to eligible health-care professionals to relocate or return to a rural or remote community. The program benefits are currently limited to physicians and nurses. Pharmacists are not eligible.
Although the current Liberal government previously committed to expanding the program to other health professionals, including pharmacists, this change has yet to be made. Ahead of the 2024 federal budget, we worked with the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI) to press for the inclusion of pharmacy graduates to the Canada Student Loan forgiveness program.
Tuition comparison
| University | PharmD Tuition (Annually) | MD Tuition (Annually) |
| University of British Columbia | $20,328.42 | $20,803.21 |
| University of Alberta | $17,473.28 | $15,877.20 |
| University of Saskatchewan | $20,691.00 | $21,055.00 |
| University of Manitoba | $15,811.54 | $11,657.70 |
| University of Waterloo | $17,030.00 | N/A |
| University of Toronto | $18,060.00 | $23,090.00 |
| Dalhousie University | $18,655.20 | $24,575.00 |
| Memorial University of Newfoundland | $14,073.00 | $14,250.00 |