January 15, 2024 Winnipeg, Manitoba Employment and Social Development Canada
Across Canada, Canadians are facing labour shortages and the demand for qualified workers continues to grow. Long wait times and difficulty finding a family physician are far too common for people across the country. That is why the Government of Canada is investing to speed up accreditation for internationally educated health professionals (IEHP).
Today, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault, announced up to $86 million in funding to 15 organizations across Canada to increase capacity for foreign credential recognition of approximately 6600 internationally educated health professionals. This investment will support highly educated and skilled immigrants receive proper recognition for their international credentials. Through this investment, for example, internationally trained midwives will be able to take their exams virtually, even before they arrive in Canada.
The 15 funded projects stretching across the country will:
- Reduce barriers to foreign credential recognition for IEHPs by improving recognition processes, simplifying steps in credential recognition and offering increased access to practice in the field.
- Provide IEHPs with relevant Canadian work experience in their intended fields, while incorporating wrap-around supports such as childcare and transportation costs, as well as mentoring and coaching.
- Facilitate labour mobility between jurisdictions in Canada for health professionals and IEHPs to reduce the systemic and administrative barriers for health professionals who wish to work in another jurisdiction in Canada.
Today's announcement builds on the commitment made by the Government of Canada with provinces and territories during the October 2023 Health Ministers' Meeting, to take concrete actions to address challenges facing Canada's health workforce including reducing the time it takes for IEHPs to join the health workforce. Funding will go directly to key occupations like nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, laboratory technicians and respiratory therapy.
The Foreign Credential Recognition Program works with provinces, territories, regulatory bodies and other organizations by funding projects to support faster and more efficient credential recognition systems with the goal of growing Canada's economy, creating quality employment and promoting a more sustainable health workforce.
