The Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) is responsible for a “fair, objective and transparent application and matching service” for medical students to pursue post-graduate training across Canada required to practice medicine independently. As such, we are disturbed by recent reports that, during the current residency program matching process, applicants are being targeted for their health advocacy and signing of an open letter detailing the health and humanitarian crises in Gaza. In light of these allegations, our organizations have come together to advocate for a transparent and unbiased Canadian residency program matching cycle now and every subsequent cycle.

We continue to witness many attempts to silence healthcare workers and learners advocating for Palestinian human rights. These include suspensions, doxxing, and threats to the safety of individuals and their families. We are particularly concerned by a screenshot from a physician Facebook group, shared in this recent CBC article, which articulates plans to target CaRMS applicants who signed the Health workers Alliance for Palestine (H.A.P.) letter. As per the discussion in the screenshot, the names of 271 medical students were identified and were to be shared with program directors with a clear intent to jeopardize their applications and the integrity of the match process. 

We are concerned by the ongoing harassment of learners, especially as it disproportionately impacts Indigenous, Black and racialized applicants, and members of marginalized communities. These groups are not only severely underrepresented in all fields of medicine, but they also come from communities facing disproportionately negative healthcare outcomes: outcomes that can be improved through better representation.  Furthermore, all medical schools and faculties in Canada have obligations under the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to respond to Calls to Action 18 to 24 which explicitly address improving representation in healthcare. Marginalized groups cannot have their future in medicine threatened, especially when we know their presence will significantly improve health outcomes. 

Learners should be supported and encouraged to participate in social justice and human rights advocacy as outlined in the CanMEDS role of a health advocate. It is shameful and alarming that physicians are seeking to abuse their positions of power as members of selection committees or colleagues of Program Directors to target learners. The proposed actions outlined in the screenshot undermine the integrity of the CaRMS match process. 

The recent AFMC (The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada) and CaRMS responses do not adequately address the gravity of what the CBC article exposed. Equally important, the AFMC and CaRMS responses do not provide concrete steps to safeguard the process nor address applicants’ legitimate fears. We, the endorsing organizations below, again call upon CaRMS, AFMC, Faculties of Medicine, and program directors to take the following steps without delay: 

1. Initiate an independent investigation into the allegations made in the CBC article of physicians and physician groups attempting to undermine the CaRMS process and take appropriate disciplinary measures against those found guilty of abuse of power.
2. Urgently identify faculty involved with the Facebook group posts reported by the CBC to mitigate any biased actions they may have taken against residency program applicants. We also ask that they be recused from participation in the residency selection process. 
3. Suspend any educational events organized by or in association with Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center in medical schools and teaching hospitals until the allegations of targeting medical trainees have been fully and independently investigated with a transparent outcome. 
4. Issue public statements by CaRMS and all Faculties of Medicine and program directors across the country to reassure applicants and the public that the residency matching process is fair and free from organized political targeting by: 
   • Acknowledging the threat these attacks pose to a fair and transparent  aadmissions process and to the integrity of the healthcare and academic systems.
   • Recognizing the detrimental burden this places on learners during a stressful time.
   • Ensuring applications for learners targeted by these efforts are reassessed by impartial faculty and residents.
   • Ensuring that CaRMS interviews are conducted by faculty and residents who are able to assess students based on their academic and extracurricular achievements in an unbiased manner.
   • Outlining a clear appeals process for trainees who feel their match results may have been undermined by these actions.

Endorsing Organizations

Health workers Alliance for Palestine

Hearing Palestine Initiative at the University of Toronto

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East

Arab Canadian Lawyers Association

Independent Jewish Voices

Jews Say No to Genocide

Faculty for Palestine

Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction

Jewish Faculty Network

The University of Toronto’s Black Medical Students Association 

British Columbia Civil Liberties Association

Science for the People