SURREY, B.C. – Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) new school of medicine has officially begun accepting applications for its first-ever class of medical students, marking the launch of the first new medical school in Western Canada in nearly 60 years.
The groundbreaking initiative aims to address British Columbia’s urgent shortage of primary-care physicians. The inaugural class of 48 students will begin their studies in August 2026 at an interim location within SFU’s Surrey campus. A permanent, state-of-the-art medical school will later open in Surrey City Centre, solidifying the city’s role as a hub for health-care innovation.
“These two major milestones bring us closer to training the next generation of doctors right here in Surrey, where they are urgently needed,” said Premier David Eby. “The new SFU medical school, along with the new Surrey hospital and B.C. Cancer Centre, will make this city a hub of innovative, high-quality health care.”
The new medical program will integrate academic learning with early clinical experience. Starting in their second month, students will begin hands-on training in community-based clinics, hospitals, and offices across B.C. The permanent school will also feature an outpatient clinic serving Surrey residents while providing practical experience for students.
Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, said the launch represents “a historic moment for Surrey.” She added, “By training the next generation of family doctors right here in our community, and creating an outpatient clinic to support training and service delivery, we’re ensuring that more families have access to care closer to home.”
The permanent SFU School of Medicine will occupy eight floors of the upcoming 12-storey Centre Block development next to the SFU Surrey campus and Surrey Central SkyTrain station. The facility will include classrooms, research labs, clinical-skills spaces, administrative offices, an outpatient clinic, and a 49-space child care centre.
“We’re building the future of health care in B.C., and establishing this new medical school is at the heart of that work,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “Through this partnership, we’re training future family doctors and strengthening care for people in Surrey and across the province.”
The project is a collaboration between the Province, Simon Fraser University, the City of Surrey, the First Nations Health Authority, Fraser Health Authority, and the broader medical community. The estimated capital cost of the permanent facility is $520 million, shared between SFU and the provincial government. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026, with completion anticipated by fall 2030.
“SFU is committed to making a difference for B.C. through education and research,” said Joy Johnson, SFU president. “The new school of medicine will train future physicians to deliver community-embedded, socially accountable, and culturally safe primary health care.”
Students accepted into the first cohort will be notified by May or June 2026, with plans to gradually expand enrollment to 120 students annually by 2035.
Brenda Locke, Mayor of Surrey, welcomed the announcement as a major step forward for the city. “The SFU school of medicine is a transformative investment in Surrey’s downtown and a cornerstone of the Centre Block development,” she said. “It’s a milestone for our city and a key part of Surrey’s bold plan to tackle the family-doctor shortage. By creating municipal clinics and supporting new doctors from the start, we’re making it easier for them to stay, grow their practices and provide care where it’s needed most.”
Applications for the first class of medical students are now open at www.sfu.ca/medicine.