HALIFAX,
NS, Oct. 4, 2024 /CNW/ - Canada continues to face significant labour
shortages in healthcare as the demand for qualified professionals
continues to grow. The Government of Canada remains committed to investing in
projects that support the integration of internationally educated
health professionals into Canada's
labour market, ensuring that skilled newcomers can contribute to
sectors that Canadians need most.
Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing,
Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Randy
Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and
Official Languages, was joined by Lena
Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, in
Halifax, Nova Scotia, to recognize
the progress of Expanding NICHE: Scale and Spread of Streamlined
Pathways to Licensure and Employment, which received up to
$10 million in funding through the Foreign Credential
Recognition (FCR) Program.
The NICHE project will enhance Nova
Scotia's International Community of Healthcare Workers
Engagement Program. Over a 48-month period, it will serve
approximately 370 internationally trained health professionals,
providing valuable work experience and reducing barriers to foreign
credential recognition in five priority professions: licensed
practical nurses; medical laboratory technologists; medical
radiation technologists and other diagnostic imaging professions;
pharmacists and pharmacy technicians; and respiratory
therapists.
On January 15, 2024, funding was
announced under the FCR Program for 16 organizations that are
helping to increase capacity for the recognition of foreign
credentials for approximately 6,600 internationally educated health
professionals. NICHE is one of the approved FCR projects. This
funding is building on the commitment made by the Government of
Canada with provinces and
territories during the October 2023
Health Ministers' Meeting to take concrete actions to address
challenges facing Canada's health
workforce, including reducing the time it takes for internationally
educated health professionals to join the health workforce.
Quotes
"Across Canada, there is an
incredible pool of talent waiting to be tapped into. All levels of
governments have a responsibility to create the right conditions so
skilled newcomers, who have the professional experience and
education, can contribute productively to Canada's growing economy. By investing in
initiatives like NICHE, we are not only strengthening the workforce
across Nova Scotia, but also
ensuring that internationally educated professionals can use their
skills to contribute meaningfully to Canada's economy. Together, we are building a
more inclusive and resilient healthcare sector for all
Canadians."
– The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing,
Infrastructure and Communities
"Canada's healthcare network
needs skilled doctors, nurses and technicians—and they need them
quickly. That's why, today, we're investing $10 million in the
Foreign Credential Recognition Program to help our newcomers enter
the workforce, build up our hospitals and pursue the careers paths
they set out to. This is going to help Nova Scotians receive the
care they need when they need it."
– The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment,
Workforce Development and Official Languages
"Many brilliant and dedicated healthcare workers call Halifax
West home. They want to put their talents to use treating Nova
Scotian patients, but too often they face steep barriers to working
if they did their medical training abroad. Today's announcement is
about tearing down that wall and getting healthcare workers to
work. It's good news for their families, and for all Nova
Scotians."
– Lena Metlege Diab, Member of
Parliament for Halifax West
Quick facts
- Canada's healthcare sector had
92,300 unfilled positions in the first quarter of 2024, with
critical shortages in key occupations such as nurses, physicians,
medical laboratory technologists and respiratory therapists. This
gap underscores the urgent need to attract and integrate qualified
professionals to maintain the quality and accessibility of
healthcare services across the country.
- Budget 2024 will invest $50
million over two years in the FCR Program, with a focus on
the residential construction and healthcare sectors. This builds on
Budget 2022's investments of $115
million over five years starting in 2022–2023 and
$30 million ongoing for the Program,
starting with a focus on supporting the labour market integration
of internationally educated health professionals.
- The FCR Program works with provinces, territories, regulatory
bodies and other organizations by funding projects to support
faster and more efficient credential recognition systems with the
goal of growing Canada's economy,
creating quality employment and promoting a more sustainable health
workforce.
- With immigration levels expected to reach 500,000 by 2025, it
is essential to support skilled newcomers in using their full
potential within the Canadian workforce. The FCR Program
funding is expected to support many more participants through
Budget 2024 commitments in the credential recognition processes.
The intake for the FCR Program's Budget 2024
commitment is currently underway, and approved projects are
expected to be announced later this year.
Associated links
Government helping 6600 internationally educated healthcare
professionals work in Canada
Government of Canada launches
call for proposals to help internationally educated professionals
work in Canadian healthcare
Funding: Foreign Credential Recognition Program
Foreign Credential Recognition Program
Federal, provincial and territorial statement on supporting
Canada's health workforce
Health workforce
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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada