Updated on November 28, 2024 by canadian immigration experts
Authenticate Foreign Health Care Credentials
Canada needs to be faster and more consistent in recognizing foreign credentials, especially in specific industries. On January 15th, Minister Randy Boissonnault announced a $86 million investment in 15 organizations to address this.
How Funds Are Used For Healthcare
The funds will be used to speed up the accreditation process for internationally educated health professionals (IEHP), addressing long waiting periods and the challenge of finding a family physician in Canada.
What Will Canada’s Investment Improve
The financial aid will be able to increase the capacity for foreign credential recognition of approximately 6600 IEHPs, and it will also expedite the process for educated and skilled immigrants (federal skilled worker program) to get the proper corresponding credentials.
Interested In Becoming A Nurse In Canada?
Understanding The Breakdown Of Canada’s Investment To Foreign Healthcare
The $86 Million will help fund the following projects:
- Make it easier for internationally trained health professionals (IEHPs) to have their credentials recognized by simplifying the process and helping them work in their field.
- Support IEHPs with relevant work experience by covering additional costs like childcare and transportation and providing practical assistance such as mentoring and coaching.
- Allow health professionals and IEHPs to move more easily between different areas in Canada, giving them better opportunities to work in the teams and locations they prefer.
This decision comes after the Health Ministers Meeting in October 2023, where the Canadian government promised to deal with ongoing issues in the healthcare workforce. They plan to focus the funding on jobs like nursing, dentistry, laboratory technicians, pharmacy, and respiratory therapy.
The Canadian Healthcare Sector
In the upcoming years, Canada expects a big jump in immigration, reaching all-time highs. Last year, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) focused on healthcare jobs through category-based draws to meet the needs of the healthcare sector. This was done because healthcare is crucial for community well-being while addressing Canada’s explicit shortage of healthcare workers.
Job Openings In The Healthcare Sector
In the second quarter of 2023, the healthcare sector had a 90,000 job openings that couldn’t be filled. Even with so many vacancies, it still takes work for foreign-trained professionals to come to Canada and fill these jobs.
Foreign Healthcare Workers In Canada
According to the IRCC, 25% of registered nurses and 36% of physicians who are currently practicing were born outside of Canada. Simultaneously, while most people in the Canadian health industry aren’t from Canada, many claimed that the licensing process was challenging while immigrating to Canada as a nurse or doctor.
The IRCC is putting effort into the Foreign Credential Assessment program, working with provinces, territories, and other organizations to make recognizing credentials faster and more efficient.
They also have the Settlement Program, helping newcomers settle in Canada, especially with employment-related services.
Canada’s Role In Attracting More Healthcare Professionals
The extra funding is meant to make Canada more attractive for healthcare professionals by making the immigration process simpler. If you’re considering moving to Canada and pursuing a career in the medical field, our team at Jane Katkova & Associates is ready to help.
We can guide you through the process of immigrating to Canada as a nurse or doctor, address your concerns, and answer your questions. Check out our article that explains how you can come to Canada as a nurse and what you need to be eligible.
