Canada announces new immigration stream specific to health workers

“Health professionals have been working around the clock to provide world-class care to individuals in communities across Canada, but it’s no secret that our health system needs more workers to continue delivering the quality care that people in Canada deserve. I’m excited to be here today with my colleague, Minister Duclos, to announce the first health care category-based selection round, which will increase access to permanent residence for skilled workers with health care experience. We look forward to welcoming many health professionals to our country.”

– The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

“In no sector is the labour shortage more prominent than in the health care sector. Today’s announcement will facilitate, fast track and streamline permanent residency applications and help improve health workforce recruitment efforts by bringing more qualified health professionals into Canada. In return, it will help patients get the timely quality care they need and deserve. We will also continue working with provinces, territories and stakeholders to address the health workers crisis by improving workforce planning, retention, and the streamlining of foreign credential recognition so that new health professionals arriving in Canada can apply their skills and expertise faster.”

– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health

• According to IRCC landing data, skilled newcomers who arrived in Canada between 2017 and 2022 intended to work in the following health occupations (please note these are preliminary estimates and subject to change):
  • 10,051 nurses (including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and registered psychiatric nurses)
  • 4,449 doctors (including 2,013 specialist physicians)
  • 2,552 dentists
  • 2,054 pharmacists
  • 910 physiotherapists (798) and occupational therapists (112)
  • 156 optometrists
  • 218 dietitians and nutritionists
  • 13 chiropractors
  • 410 medical laboratory technologists
  • 222 medical radiation technologists
  • 151 audiologists and speech-language pathologists
  • 171 allied primary health practitioners
  • 56 paramedical occupations
  • 88 respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
  • 155 dental hygienists and dental therapists
• Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for those seeking to immigrate permanently through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.
• In June 2022, the Government of Canada made changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow for the selection of immigrants based on key attributes that support economic priorities, such as specific work experience or knowledge of French.
• On May 31, 2023, Minister Fraser announced the first-ever launch of category-based selection, a new process to welcome skilled newcomers with work experience in priority jobs as permanent residents.
• The categories were determined following extensive consultations with provincial and territorial partners, stakeholders and the public, as well as a review of labour market needs. A complete list of eligible jobs for the new categories is available on our website.
• Immigration accounts for almost 100% of Canada’s labour force growth, helping to addresses labour shortages in key sectors.
• Under the Canada–Québec Accord, Quebec establishes its own immigration levels. From 2018 to 2022, admissions under the Federal High-Skilled program accounted for between 34% and 40% of overall French-speaking admissions outside Quebec.

Source: canada.ca