Maple News reports that on January 15, Canada’s Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault, announced $86 million in funding for 15 organizations nationwide. The investment aims to accelerate the accreditation process for internationally educated healthcare professionals (IEHPs), addressing ongoing healthcare staffing shortages and long wait times across the country.
This funding package is expected to directly benefit approximately 6,600 foreign-trained health professionals by improving access to credential recognition and enabling them to contribute more quickly to Canada’s healthcare system. The effort supports skilled newcomers by easing the path to employment in key healthcare occupations such as nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, respiratory therapy, and laboratory technologies.
The selected projects will focus on enhancing foreign credential recognition systems by streamlining complex processes, offering supervised Canadian work experience, and providing practical support services such as child care, transportation, mentorship, and coaching. They will also promote labour mobility across Canadian provinces, reducing regional restrictions and making it easier for professionals to move and fill vacancies where demand is critical.
Minister Boissonnault emphasized the dual mission of this initiative: meeting Canada’s healthcare needs while embracing the potential of skilled newcomers. “Honouring the professional credentials of newcomers is a compassionate and effective approach to strengthening our healthcare system. This investment not only helps fill critical labour shortages, but also supports economic growth and inclusivity,” he said.
This action follows up on a commitment made during the Health Ministers’ Meeting in October 2023, where the federal government pledged tangible steps to support and strengthen the healthcare workforce. With increasing immigration targets and a growing demand for healthcare services, this funding reflects Canada’s broader strategy to ensure new arrivals can fully utilize their skills and training.
In 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced category-based Express Entry draws that prioritize applicants with backgrounds in healthcare. By aligning immigration policy with labour market needs, Canada is actively working to bridge gaps in its healthcare infrastructure and ensure high-quality care for its population.
The $86 million initiative represents a nationwide commitment to foreign credential recognition as a critical tool in both workforce development and immigrant integration. Maple News will continue to follow how these investments translate into real impact across Canada’s healthcare system.