The training of future surgeons must evolve in such a way that it ensures that surgical practice meets the needs of modern societies. Many surgical educators and organizations are considering which abilities are critical elements of the education of surgeons for the new millennium. We describe the approach employed by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), called the Canadian Medical Education Directions for Specialists (CanMEDS) Project. Through this endeavor the RCPSC has adopted a framework of core competencies organized around seven physician "Roles": Medical Expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Manager, Health Advocate, Scholar, and Professional. We present the development and rationale for this framework and the progress of its implementation in postgraduate surgical training programs across Canada.