The Government of Canada has announced an investment of up to $14.3 million to address healthcare workforce shortages. The funding will be directed through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP) to support internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) in securing employment within the country’s healthcare system.
The investment aims to fast-track over 3,500 IEHPs into the Canadian workforce through job placements, mentorship, wage subsidies, training, and coaching programmes. This initiative comes at a time when Canada faces a significant shortage of healthcare workers, with 78,600 unfilled positions reported in the third quarter of 2024.
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Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, Steven MacKinnon, stated: “Internationally educated professionals possess the talent and experience our healthcare sector needs. By investing in the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, we’re adding capable doctors, nurses and health practitioners to medical rooms across the country, growing our workforce and delivering better health outcomes for Canadians across the board.”
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The initiative aligns with Budget 2024, which committed $50 million over two years to the FCRP, focusing on healthcare and residential construction sectors. The government will distribute the $14.3 million among four organisations to help IEHPs integrate into the Canadian healthcare workforce. The funding will support credential recognition, job placements, mentorship, and training. A specific focus will be placed on supporting women in healthcare through initiatives such as the CarriElles Santé project by Société économique de l’Ontario (SEO).
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A national Ethical Framework will guide the recruitment and retention of international healthcare professionals. The framework is intended to ensure fair treatment and protect the rights of internationally educated workers joining the healthcare system.
Minister of Health Mark Holland highlighted the urgency of addressing workforce shortages, stating: “Canada needs more healthcare workers into our system, faster. This federal funding will help grow capacity in our healthcare system and give relief to workers already providing care to Canadians. That means a stronger workforce, shorter wait times and better healthcare.”
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With Canada set to welcome 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025, a significant number of healthcare professionals are expected to be among them. Provinces, including Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, have been actively seeking skilled international workers to fill hospital, long-term care, and family health team vacancies.
The FCRP will streamline the credential recognition process, reduce processing times for international licences, and provide work experience opportunities. The government is also prioritising ethical recruitment practices to ensure transparency and fairness for internationally trained professionals.
