Canada invests in newcomer health workers to ease labour shortages
Credit to Author: Canadian Immigrant| Date: Thu, 06 Mar 2025 18:06:25 +0000
Canada’s healthcare system is under strain, with long wait times, emergency room closures, and a growing shortage of family doctors affecting patients nationwide. The pressure on healthcare workers is mounting, and with tens of thousands of vacancies in the sector, the federal government is ramping up efforts to fill the gaps.
In a move to bring more internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) into the workforce, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, Steven MacKinnon, recently announced up to $14.3 million in funding for four organizations through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP).
“Internationally educated professionals possess the talent and experience our healthcare sector needs,” MacKinnon said. “By investing in the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, we’re adding capable doctors, nurses and health practitioners to medical rooms across the country, growing our workforce and delivering better health outcomes for Canadians across the board.”
Faster pathways for skilled newcomers
The new funding aims to support more than 3,500 internationally trained healthcare workers by offering work placements, wage subsidies, mentoring, and training to help them navigate Canada’s credential recognition system—often cited as a major barrier preventing newcomers from working in their field.
For many internationally educated professionals, the process of getting their credentials recognized in Canada can be long and costly, delaying their ability to contribute to the healthcare system. The federal government says this investment will help speed up that process and provide much-needed support to skilled newcomers looking to enter the workforce.
“Canada needs more healthcare workers in our system, faster,” Health Minister Mark Holland said. “This federal funding will help grow capacity in our healthcare system and give relief to workers already providing care to Canadians. That means a stronger workforce, shorter wait times and better healthcare.”
Addressing labour shortages
The funding announcement comes as Canada’s healthcare sector faces persistent staff shortages. In the third quarter of 2024, there were 78,600 unfilled positions in the sector. While that figure is down from a peak of 97,400 vacancies in 2022, experts say more work is needed to ensure hospitals and medical centres are fully staffed.
The government has also recognized the need for a coordinated national approach. At a federal, provincial and territorial Health Ministers’ meeting in January 2025, leaders approved Caring for Canadians: Canada’s Future Health Workforce, a study focused on strengthening training and education for healthcare professionals. They also agreed to implement an ethical framework for recruiting and retaining internationally educated health workers.
Supporting women in healthcare
Among the initiatives benefitting from the latest funding is CarriElles Santé, a project run by the Société économique de l’Ontario (SEO) that helps internationally trained women in the healthcare sector find jobs.
“This investment represents a significant step forward in the integration of internationally trained women in the health sector,” said SEO president Cathy Modesto. “Through the CarriElles Santé project, SEO is providing these women with tailored support to enhance their skills and access qualified employment, while addressing the pressing labour shortages in the healthcare sector.”
The investment is part of a broader effort to strengthen Canada’s healthcare workforce. Budget 2024 allocated $50 million over two years to the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, focusing on healthcare and residential construction. This builds on previous investments, including $115 million over five years announced in Budget 2022, as well as $30 million in ongoing support for credential recognition and workforce integration.
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