Province expands Memorial University medical school residency definition

The Newfoundland and Labrador government has expanded the definition of a provincial resident for admissions to Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine, a move aimed at improving access to medical education and supporting physician recruitment and retention.

The change, which took effect immediately through new regulations under the Memorial University Act, extends residency eligibility to members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their immediate families who maintain strong and ongoing ties to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Under the previous definition, individuals who spent time outside the province because of military or RCMP postings could be required to apply for a limited number of out-of-province medical school seats, despite having significant connections to Newfoundland and Labrador.

The provincial government said the existing rules could reduce an applicant's chances of admission to Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine and did not reflect the intent of the legislation or the university's historic role as a living memorial to those who have served.

Students applying to the Faculty of Medicine this summer will be eligible under the expanded residency definition.