Canadian government will help immigrants get jobs in health care
Funding will be given to 9 projects under the Foreign Diploma Recognition Program.
The pandemic has led to shortages in many industries, including the health care sector. To attract a skilled workforce to the country, the Canadian government is investing in projects that will help internationally educated health care workers gain faster access to the Canadian job market.
Immigration is expected to reach an all-time high of 431,645 in 2022. That is why it is more important than ever to increase support for skilled immigrants so that they can make full use of their skills, experience, and talents.
"Canada suffers from a shortage of doctors, nurses and health professionals, which means that patients don't always get the level of care they deserve. However, there are internationally trained health professionals in Canada who would like to work, but their training is not recognized here in Canada. Through the foreign credential recognition program, they will be able to contribute to our immediate health care needs," said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos.
Last Wednesday, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Carla Qualtrow announced funding for nine projects under the foreign credential recognition program.
Halton Multicultural Council will receive $1,559,804 CAD in funding for its COVID Environment Career Accelerator for Overseas Health Professionals. With this investment, the council will be able to facilitate the entry of highly qualified internationally trained health care professionals into the Canadian marketplace, with the expectation of their long-term employment in their professional field. It is anticipated that this measure will help mitigate the impact of the pandemic and address the anticipated increase in demand for health and social services.
"McGill University's School of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy will receive $856,926 CAD in funding for the project "Meeting Canada's Rehabilitation Needs: The McGill Physiotherapy Overcoming Program. It previously existed at this university in the form of a pilot physical therapy equivalent training program. This project is expected to allow English-speaking internationally educated physical therapists to become officially certified by McGill University. It will also allow these kinds of professionals to register and become licensed with the Ordre des Professeurs de Physiotherapistes du Québec.
Finally, investment will go to the Canadian Council of Nurse Practitioners. It will receive $370,183 CAD in funding for the project "Language Proficiency Requirements for the Safe Practice of Nursing in Canada. With this investment, the Board will review, update and validate the acceptable English and French language proficiency criteria for registration and licensure of internationally educated nurses in Canada.
The Foreign Diploma Recognition Program funds provinces and territories, regulatory agencies, and organizations to improve the efficiency and timeliness of foreign credential recognition processes and to provide loans and job placement support to help highly skilled immigrant professionals get jobs in their professional fields.
