Across Canada, Canadians are facing labour shortages and the demand for qualified workers continues to grow. Long wait times and difficulty finding a family physician are far too common for people across the country. That is why the Government of Canada is investing to speed up accreditation for internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs).

“Choosing Canada to build a new life for one’s family should not come at the cost of being barred from practicing in one’s field of expertise. The Foreign Credential Recognition Program is helping new Canadians thrive in our workforce, and fill labour gaps across the country.”

– Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages

“Health care workers deliver the care that Canadians need. By bringing in new workers and retaining those who are already there, we can help relieve the labour challenges in our health care system. This federal funding supports our government’s work with provinces, territories and stakeholders to have more health care workers enter Canada’s workforce and to streamline that process. Together, this will improve our health care system so Canadians can get the care they need and deserve.”

– Mark Holland, Minister of Health

“Here in the Yukon, we have many internationally educated health professionals who are not currently working in healthcare, despite their qualifications and desire to provide care and serve their communities. Through this agreement, we will be better positioned to help those individuals reach their full potential in our labour force. I want to thank the Government of Canada for their support, and for helping advance our government’s work in this important area.”

– Premier and Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai 

“Our government is committed to working with partners to address healthcare labour shortages. As part of this, we have been working closely with the Government of Canada to facilitate the recognition of credentials for internationally educated health professionals. Through the Foreign Credential Recognition Project, our goal is to strengthen our health and social service systems, filling crucial roles and ultimately enhancing the wellbeing of Yukoners. As we embark on this four-year pilot, insights collected may also inform approaches beyond healthcare, contributing to a more inclusive and stronger workforce across the territory.”

– Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee

“I’ve long advocated for solutions to labour shortages and workforce burnout in our health care system. As a physician myself, I know this investment will go a long way in leveraging the expertise of internationally educated professionals, while filling labour gaps in our hospitals, clinics and practices. Through this pilot project, internationally trained newcomers will face less barriers to health care employment in Yukon, and use their skills to contribute to the health and well‑being of all Yukoners.”

– Dr. Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for Yukon

• Canada’s health care sector continues to see high levels of job vacancies, with a total of 90,000 unfilled positions in health occupations in the second quarter of 2023.

• Half of newcomers to Canada have a bachelor’s degree or greater. Even with educational achievements, skilled newcomers in all sectors face higher unemployment rates than people born in Canada and are less likely to work in regulated occupations for which they have studied.
  

• With immigration expected to reach record-high levels (500,000 by 2025), it is more important than ever to increase supports to skilled newcomers so that they can fully use their skills, experience and talents. 

• Budget 2022 announced an additional $115 million over five years starting in 2022–2023 and $30 million ongoing for the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, with a focus on supporting the labour market integration of skilled newcomers into the health sector. This is in addition to the Program’s base funding of $27.3 million per year.

• Budget 2023 outlined the Government of Canada’s plan to invest more than $200 billion over ten years to improve health care for Canadians, including $46.2 billion in new funding for provinces and territories, and a focus on efforts to support the health workforce.

• This funding complements other investments from the Government of Canada to support newcomers so they can participate in Canadian society to their full potential. For example, through the Settlement Program managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Government of Canada funds services that help newcomers settle and adapt to life in Canada, including employment-related services and support with foreign credential recognition. 

Associated links

• Government helping 6,600 internationally educated health care professionals work in Canada
• Backgrounder: Government helping 6,600 internationally educated health care professionals work in Canada
• Government of Canada launches call for proposals to help internationally educated professionals work in Canadian health care
• Funding: Foreign Credential Recognition Program
• Foreign Credential Recognition Program
• Federal, provincial and territorial statement on supporting Canada’s health workforce
• Health workforce

For media enquiries, please contact:

Mathis Denis
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault
343-573-1846
mathis.denis@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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