Improving access to quality health services for Canadian families
March 13, 2015
Toronto, ON
Health Canada
Today, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Pickering-Scarborough, Corneliu Chisu, announced almost $8.4 million in federal funding for several initiatives that support bringing internationally educated health professionals into the Canadian health workforce so that Canadian families can have better access to quality healthcare services.
Across Canada, access to health professionals continues to be a challenge. Approximately 4.6 million Canadians are without a regular family doctor. At the same time, there are around 10,000 newcomers to Canada that are health related professionals. Many of these individuals face obstacles in finding jobs that best match their skills and experience.
This support will help prepare doctors and other health professionals for the Canadian workforce. These initiatives complement the Government of Canada's wider support for improving foreign credential recognition.
Federal funding for internationally educated health professionals reaffirms the Government of Canada's commitment to strengthening the healthcare system by working with provinces, territories and healthcare professionals to improve access to quality care for Canadians and their families.
"Our Government recognizes the importance of having internationally educated health professionals in the health workforce. With thousands of new Canadians arriving to Canada every year, we want to ensure that we effectively integrate doctors and nurses into the Canadian health workforce. Today's investment makes better use of the talent that is already in Canada and showcases the steps we're taking to provide Canadians with increased access to health professionals and quality health care services wherever they live."
Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health
Michael Bolkenius
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
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The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, is joined by special guests to announce the Government's investment to support internationally educated health professionals to practise in Canada. (L to R: Corneliu Chisu, Member of Parliament for Pickering - Scarborough East; Minister of Health Rona Ambrose; Dr. Bijan Dastgheib, Internationally Educated Health Professional; and Dr. Robert Howard, President and Chief Executive Officer, St. Michael's Hospital.)
Minister Ambrose learns of an Internationally Educated Professional's personal story of becoming licensed & employed in Canada.
Minister Ambrose announces the Government's investment to support internationally educated health professionals in Canada.
