New Funding For Foreign Trained Healthcare Workers for Credential Recognition

This funding will help internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs) get the support, training, and Canadian work experience they need to thrive in our healthcare system. 

“Canada’s healthcare sector had 78,600 unfilled positions in the third quarter of 2024. This was the second consecutive quarterly decline after six consecutive quarters of little change since the peak in the third quarter of 2022, when job vacancies in health occupations reached 97,400. This gap underscores the urgent need to continue to attract and integrate qualified professionals to maintain the quality and accessibility of healthcare services across the country.” – Employment and Social Development Canada news release. 

Key Takeaways 

• Four organizations have received federal funding to develop and deliver programs that help internationally educated health professionals navigate credentialing and licensing. 

• The funding recipients are spread across British Columbia, Ontario, and Atlantic Canada for the most part, with one national program too.

Additional Funding For 2 Ontario and BC Programs For Internationally-Trained Healthcare Workers 

Internationally-trained healthcare workers, and the residents who benefit from their contributions, in BC and Ontario will receive additional funding for two programs designed to smooth the process of receiving foreign credential recognition:  

1. Through S.U.C.C.E.S.S., newcomers in professions such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and nursing will receive profession-specific workshops on licensing, one-on-one case management, and paid work placements. By providing wage subsidies and hands-on mentorship, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. helps new immigrants gain the Canadian experience they need to excel in their fields. 
2. La Société économique de l’Ontario is leading an initiative that targets French-speaking immigrant and refugee women. These women will get help both before and after they arrive in Ontario and British Columbia, covering job market orientation, credential recognition, and employment services. By equipping these essential workers with tailored resources, the program boosts their chances of securing meaningful jobs that match their qualifications.  

Canada-Wide Mentorship Program 

Windmill Microlending’s Arrive and Thrive Canada project aims to assist IEHPs nationwide. It delivers mentorship programs and specialized workshops, guiding newcomers through the unique challenges of the Canadian healthcare system. By connecting them to participating employers, the project ensures their expertise does not go untapped and helps them find roles suited to their skills. 

African and Caribbean Nurses Receive Funding in Atlantic Canada 

The Health Association of African Canadians is focused on licensed nursing professionals of African and Caribbean heritage. Its Afro-Caribbean Nursing Continuum Program will receive 1.3 million dollars to boost its provision of culturally relevant resources and mentorship, which help nurses navigate the credential recognition process.  

An Ethical Framework To Boost Worker Retention Planned 

In January 2025, Canada’s provincial health ministers agreed to draft and publish an Ethical Framework discussing the recruitment and retention of internationally credentialed healthcare workers. It will be designed to help organisations attract and retain international health professionals within the Canadian health system.