Being one of the best livable countries for immigrants, Canada has become a choice destination for immigrants from across the globe looking for a better life and work conditions. Also, as Canada’s public healthcare system is one of the best in the world, being a health worker means you get to enjoy great workspaces with some of the best professionals in the world. Canada also provides good and competitive remunerations, among other benefits.
However, transitioning into the healthcare industry can be difficult in Canada because of the rigorous processes involved, although this is beginning to change in the midst of historic labour shortages. Canada post-covid era has seen a massive shortage in different sectors and the healthcare industry hasn’t been left out in this hit. Ironically however, there is also a skilled newcomer over-qualification problem in Canada. These are professionals in healthcare, among others sectors, who have migrated to Canada and are yet to transfer their skills into the Canadian economy. This is usually due to the hurdles they have to go through in the way of multiple examinations, registration, and licensure before they can practice. Recent statistics show that up to 47% of skilled immigrants in Canada possessing health education were either jobless or employed in jobs that require only a high school degree. Also, immigrants working in canada with foreign degrees are twice as likely to work in jobs they are overqualified for than their counterparts with a degree from Canada. For those who fall into this apparently gloomy category, there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel.
Update On Healthcare Employment in Canada
On December 5th, 2022, the minister of immigration, Sean Fraser addressed this shortage. In his call, he proposed to help more internationally educated healthcare professionals (IEHPs) to get integrated into the Canadian healthcare workspace. This proposal also appears to have the backing of the Minister of Employment, workforce development, and disability inclusion, Carla Qualtrough. The ministers believe that by calling for and implementing project proposals, they can help streamline and enable IEHPs gain the requisite skills, credentials, and experience needed for gainful employment and proper utilization of their skills. These proposals will be handled through the Federal Credential Recognition Program (FCRP), with an investment of $90 million.
Projects Considered For Funding
- Projects that reduce obstacles to foreign credential recognition, by streamlining the stages required for their
- Projects that provide internationally educated healthcare professionals with work experience that is appropriate for their field of employment while also making provision for work benefits such as child care and transportation, mentoring, and coaching.
- Programs that facilitate labour mobility between the jurisdictions or provinces in Canada for healthcare professionals and internationally educated healthcare professionals, as this will minimize the administrative and structural barriers for healthcare workers that choose to work across provinces.
- These programs must also provide wage subsidies and job placements that help professional immigrants integrate into the Canadian labour market.
- Finally, these projects must devise a means to test and implement credential recognition systems, with emphases laid on the reduction of regulatory processes and harmonization of standards, to increase International credential recognition and inter-provincial labour mobility.
The Minister of Immigration in the News – March 2023
Minister Fraser announced that foreign nationals with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits will qualify to work in Canada longer for up to 18 months. This is to help employers retain high-skilled talent and support economic recovery and growth.
There was also some news on March 20th about a new immigration agreement between the federal and provincial governments that will allow Ontario to welcome more economic immigrants under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The new agreement will increase Ontario’s PNP allocation from 9,750 in 2022 to 16,500 in 2023, more than 17,000 in 2024, and more than 18,000 in 2025. The agreement also includes a new stream for skilled trades workers in the construction sector. The aim of the agreement is to help Ontario address its labour shortages and support its economic recovery and growth.
For healthcare workers that have a valid job offer and meet the requirements of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), they may benefit from the new immigration agreement that will increase Ontario’s PNP allocation and create a new stream for skilled trades workers in the construction sector. This may improve their chances of getting nominated by Ontario and applying for permanent residence.
