On January 15th, Randy Boissonnault, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, Canada invests $86 million to Validate foreign medical credentials. It benefits 15 organizations throughout Canada. Explore the significant boost to recognizing international healthcare qualifications.
Funds have been given with the goal of accelerating the certification process for internationally educated health professionals (IEHP) in order to tackle common issues including excessive wait times and the difficulty in finding a family physician. About 6600 IEHPs will gain from this project, which will improve the ability to recognize foreign credentials and make it easier for educated and competent immigrants to have their skills properly acknowledged.
The 15 projects receiving funding throughout Canada will:
- Alleviate obstacles to recognizing foreign credentials for IEHPs by enhancing recognition procedures, streamlining credential recognition steps, and expanding access to field practice.
- Supply IEHPs with pertinent Canadian work experience in their chosen fields, accompanied by additional support like childcare and transportation assistance, along with mentoring and coaching.
- Streamline labor mobility among Canadian jurisdictions for health professionals and IEHPs, aiming to diminish barriers for those seeking to practice in different provinces or territories.
This announcement stems from a commitment made by the Canadian government during the October 2023 Health Minister’s Meeting to tackle challenges in the nation’s healthcare workforce.
The allocated funding actively supports crucial healthcare professions, including respiratory therapy, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, and lab technicians.
Moreover, recognizing the professional qualifications of recent immigrants is a compassionate and pragmatic approach to bolstering Canada’s workforce. Beyond being morally right, the Foreign Credentials Recognition program expedites certification for 6600 individuals. As well as, according to Boissonnault, this stands as one of the most effective means to address workforce shortages, enhance the healthcare system, and uplift the economy.
The healthcare industry in Canada
With immigration anticipated to reach unprecedented levels in the upcoming years, it is imperative that newcomers can actively leverage their abilities, talents, and experience.
IRCC instituted category-based lotteries the year before. One of the five vocational groups that the IRCC prioritizes in Express Entry drawings is the healthcare industry. The reason behind this decision is because Canada is still experiencing a scarcity of healthcare professionals.
There are still empty opportunities in the healthcare industry, with 90,000 job openings in this field as of the second quarter of 2023.
According to IRCC statistics, 25% of registered nurses and 36% of doctors in Canada are foreign-born. It is difficult for medical practitioners with foreign training to get the right kind of license in Canada.
The government has committed $115 million over five years, beginning in 2022–2023, and an extra $30 million yearly for the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, which will continue. Also, these funds are included in the Budget 2022 release. Through partnerships with regulatory agencies, states, and other groups, this program funds initiatives aimed at improving the effectiveness and speed of credential recognition systems.
Moreover, these monetary pledges support additional financing programs that the Canadian government offers to assist immigrants. Furthermore, under the direction of the IRCC, the Settlement Program helps immigrants settle and acclimate to life in Canada. One section of these services actively assists individuals in finding employment, encompassing support for the recognition of foreign credentials.
Explore your pathway to move to Canada with Immigtoronto. Our team of skilled RCICs offers customized immigration solutions, ensuring a trustworthy and professional process. Contact us at [email protected]