Bring Westgrove Family Medicine Clinic to Etobicoke!

Currently, half a million residents in Toronto lack access to a family doctor, a number projected to double to one million by 2026, as outlined by the Ontario College of Family Physicians [1].

These are not alarmist headlines – this is the reality facing residents of Etobicoke.

Despite the immense financial pressures of running a practice in this economic climate, we have been working tirelessly to set up our permanent family medicine group practice, Westgrove Medical, in the heart of our community – at 4740 Dundas St West, near Islington and Dundas, where we can continue to provide care to our existing and new patients, uninterrupted, for decades to come.

We are facing challenges due to an Etobicoke-specific bylaw enacted decades ago as a ‘one size fits all’ for medical clinics, that does not apply to most of Toronto. It mandates a high parking ratio, irrespective of how the clinic operates (by appointment) and the availability of various modes of transportation that do not require parking. In an effort to satisfy this Etobicoke by-law, we have reduced the size of our practice to the minimum that will still allow it to be sustainable and serve the community and will be presenting the updated proposal at an upcoming Etobicoke Committee of Adjustment meeting.

Regrettably, individuals opposing the creation of Westgrove Medical in this area have greatly inflated the parking requirements of our clinic, without providing all relevant facts and mitigating factors, sparking unnecessary concern in the community. Furthermore, false information regarding the services offered by our clinic has been spread. Let me state, Westgrove Medical is a traditional family medicine clinic that you would be happy and proud to have in your community to serve you and your family for decades to come.

If the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored anything, it is the paramount importance of health care. Family medicine serves as the cornerstone of health care, and given the current crisis, it is imperative that we collectively ensure its sustainability.

We urge our community to take action - please sign this petition and help us realize the vision of Westgrove Family Medicine Clinic in central Etobicoke.

Sincerely,

Dr. Laura Thomas, MD, MSc, CCFP
Dr. Laura Quigley, MD, MSc, CCFP

Family Physicians & Co-Founders of Westgrove Medical