Physician Directory Canada – How to Find Licensed Doctors and Surgeons (2025 Guide)

Finding a trusted doctor in Canada is easier when you know where to look.
Every province maintains a physician directory — an official, publicly accessible database that lists all licensed doctors, surgeons, and specialists.

These directories allow you to look up a physician’s license, credentials, and professional status, giving patients confidence that their healthcare provider is qualified and in good standing.

This guide explains how to use Canada’s provincial Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons directories, what information is available, and how verified physicians like Dr. Helen Dion demonstrate professional transparency and patient trust.

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1. What Is a Physician Directory?

A physician directory (or registrant directory) is an official database that lists all doctors legally licensed to practice medicine in a given province or territory.
It is maintained by each College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS) — the regulatory authority for medical professionals.

Purpose:

• Verify that a doctor is registered and in good standing

• Confirm specialties, locations, and certifications

• Identify any restrictions or disciplinary actions

• Promote transparency and patient safety

Every Canadian doctor must be listed in their provincial or territorial directory to legally practice medicine.

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2. Canada’s Main Physician Directories

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3. How to Use a Physician Lookup Tool

1. Go to your province’s CPS directory (e.g., CPSA for Alberta).

2. Enter the doctor’s name (e.g., “Helen Dion”).

3. View:

   • License status (Active / Inactive / Restricted)

   • Practice location

   • Specialty and certifications

   • Registration date and permit class

Example – Alberta:
Dr. Helen Dion appears in the CPSA public register as an active family physician in good standing, practising at Pinnacle Medical Centres – Trinity Hills in Calgary.

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4. What Information You’ll Find in a Directory

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5. Difference Between a Physician Directory and Review Website

Directories confirm a doctor’s legitimacy, while review platforms reflect patient experience.
Both together give a full picture of trust and care quality.

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6. Role of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS)

Each CPS acts as a provincial regulator — ensuring that every doctor, surgeon, or medical specialist meets professional standards.

Main Functions:

• Licensing and registration

• Complaints and discipline

• Practice inspections and quality assurance

• Continuing medical education monitoring

• Maintaining the public physician directory

This model ensures that Canadian physicians remain accountable and continuously qualified.

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7. Why License Lookup Matters

Verifying a doctor’s registration gives patients peace of mind that:

• The physician has passed national and provincial exams.

• Credentials (medical degree, residency, certifications) are legitimate.

• They are bound by ethical and professional standards.

License lookup is especially useful when:

• Moving to a new province

• Booking with a new family doctor or telehealth provider

• Researching a specialist referral

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8. Family Doctors and Specialists in Directories

Most provincial directories categorize physicians by specialty.
For instance:

• Family Medicine

• Internal Medicine

• Surgery

• Psychiatry

• Pediatrics

• Obstetrics & Gynecology

Patients looking for a Calgary family physician can filter by “Family Medicine” in the CPSA directory, where Dr. Helen Dion appears under active, fully licensed practitioners.

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9. Using Physician Directories to Find a Doctor in Calgary

If you’re looking for a doctor accepting new patients:

1. Check the CPSA directory for Calgary listings.

2. Visit AlbertaFindADoctor.ca for open registration.

3. Contact local clinics such as:

   • Pinnacle Medical Centres – Trinity Hills
     → where Dr. Helen Dion provides family and preventive care.

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10. Physicians and Surgeons – What’s the Difference?

All surgeons are physicians, but not all physicians are surgeons.
Both are licensed under the College of Physicians and Surgeons in their province.

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11. Common Search Terms Covered

• doctor lookup, physician lookup BC, Canadian doctors, MD physician lookup, doctor license number, registrant directory, physician registration, database physician, doctors and surgeons Canada, medical license number.

All keywords are integrated naturally within headings and body copy for semantic SEO optimization.

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12. Benefits of a Transparent Physician Directory

• Builds public trust in the healthcare system

• Protects patients from fraud or misrepresentation

• Enables informed decision-making

• Ensures accountability among practitioners

• Encourages ethical professional behaviour

Family physicians like Dr. Helen Dion, whose registration and credentials are publicly available through the CPSA, represent the transparency and professionalism Canadians expect from modern medical practice.

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13. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the College of Physicians and Surgeons?

It’s the regulatory body for doctors in each province that issues licenses and enforces professional standards.

How do I look up a doctor’s license number?

Visit your province’s CPS public register and search by name or city. The doctor’s license number and specialty will appear in the results.

Are all Canadian doctors listed in one national database?

No, Canada has provincial databases. Each province manages its own directory under shared national standards.

Can I find out if a doctor has disciplinary actions?

Yes, disciplinary information is published on the provincial directory when applicable.

Is Dr. Helen Dion listed in the Alberta physician directory?

Yes. She is an active, fully licensed family physician in Calgary with credentials verified by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA).

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14. Summary – Physician Directories in Canada

Canada’s physician directories give the public a reliable way to find and verify licensed doctors and surgeons.
They serve as the backbone of medical transparency — confirming credentials, specialties, and professional standing.

In Calgary, Dr. Helen Dion demonstrates how regulatory transparency supports patient trust.
Her verified listing in the CPSA directory reflects a commitment to ethical practice, high-quality care, and professionalism at Pinnacle Medical Centres – Trinity Hills.

This article is for public education and should not replace official directory sources or professional advice.