Opening Statement
Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, ECNS, KC, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Standing Committee on Health: Immigration Policy and Internationally Educated Health Professionals
November 18, 2025
469 words (~5 minutes)
Thank you, Chair.
Canadians expect timely access to quality health care, but across the country, communities are struggling to find the doctors and nurses they need. While health care delivery falls to provinces and territories, immigration supports those efforts by helping bring skilled professionals into the system faster.
Immigration alone won’t solve these challenges, but it’s a vital part of the solution—strengthening care for Canadians.
Our government’s mandate is clear: attract the best talent in the world, while keeping immigration levels sustainable and aligned with Canada’s capacity.
In health care, that means working with provinces and territories to bring in and retain the professionals Canadians rely on every day.
Both temporary and permanent immigration pathways help meet those needs.
For example, through the Global Skills Strategy, my Department helps Canadian employers bring in highly skilled workers faster.
Originally designed for the tech sector, it also helps fill critical health care roles more quickly—from doctors and registered nurses to their spouses, who benefit from expedited work-permit processing.
Thousands of skilled workers who came through this program are now permanent residents, contributing to our workforce and communities.
Our new International Talent Attraction Strategy builds on these efforts—positioning Canada to meet strategic labour market needs and helping employers recruit high-skilled workers faster in sectors like health care, construction, emerging technology and artificial intelligence. This focused approach brings global expertise where it’s needed most to strengthen Canada’s workforce and economy.
International students are also a key part of Canada’s health-care talent pipeline, with nearly 60,000 currently studying in health related programs. Through the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program and other temporary work streams, many gain Canadian experience and go on to stay, contributing their skills and knowledge to communities nationwide.
Federal and provincial permanent residence programs are helping more health professionals make Canada their home. Over 11,000 arrived in 2024, and another 8,000 so far this year. Express Entry and provincial nominee programs are building a stronger, more resilient health workforce across the country.
With higher Provincial Nominee admissions targets in 2026, provinces are positioned to welcome practice ready health professionals to support their communities.
Attracting people is only part of the equation. My Department works with Employment and Social Development Canada, provinces, territories and regulators to align immigration pathways with credential recognitions. The regional licensing model adopted in Atlantic Canada shows how collaboration reduces barriers and helps qualified professionals begin working sooner.
We’re taking a balanced approach to immigration—one that strengthens our economy, respects community capacity, and restores balance and confidence in the system. That includes supporting Francophone communities by welcoming more health-care professionals who live and work in French.
Every nurse, doctor and health professional who chooses Canada strengthens our health system and the communities they serve.
Thank you. I look forward to your questions