Family medicine in Canada is in a state of crisis. Here in Ontario, it seems our provincial government is intent on coming up with as many new ways to juggle the provision of medical care as possible. We currently have solo practices, group practices, Comprehensive Care pracitces, Family Health Networks and Family Health Groups. The latest initiative being discussed is a Family Health Team. The Ontario Medical Association and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care recently negotiated a proposed agreement between the government and the physicians of our province. When it was voted on by the general membership of the OMA, it was turned down by 60% of the profession. This agreement offered new financial incentives only to family physicians willing to involve themselves in one of the groups previously noted. It is an effort to herd doctors into structures that have no proven benefits for either cost savings or more efficient delivery of medical care. The discrepancy in income between family doctors and our specialist colleagues has progressively widened over the last many years. New physicians are not choosing family medicine as a career when for two more years of training, they can markedly improve their long term earning potential by going into a specialty. The proposed agreement between the province and Ontario physicians did not address this issue in any substantial way. Prime Minister Paul Martin promised to cut wait times for medical care in this country when he ran for re-election. I would suggest that the fastest way for him to accomplish this goal is to quickly deal with our shortage of family doctors. Family doctors have always provided the most comprehensive care to the most number of patient. Patients receiving good primary care stay out of emergency departments and have problems evaluated in a timely fashion. This care provides the best triage possible for guiding patients through the medical system and being efficient with health care dollars and limited resources.