Is Canada Finally Breaking Barriers For Foreign Trained Professionals?

The healthcare industry in Canada is experiencing a significant number of job vacancies, with a total of 90,000 positions in health occupations remaining unoccupied during the second quarter of 2023.

Approximately 50% of newcomers to Canada possess a bachelor’s degree or higher. Despite their educational qualifications, skilled immigrants across various sectors encounter elevated unemployment rates compared to individuals born in Canada.

Additionally, they are less inclined to secure employment in professions aligned with their studied fields that require regulatory approval.

However, this does not only affect these foreign-trained professionals, but also the lack of professionals leads to prolonged wait times for Canadians and challenges in securing a family physician, issues that are widespread throughout the country.

Recognizing the urgency of addressing these concerns, the Government of Canada is actively investing in initiatives aimed at expediting the accreditation process for internationally educated health professionals (IEHP).

The focus is on facilitating the integration of qualified healthcare practitioners from diverse backgrounds into the Canadian workforce, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of…