Why This Matters
Every year, thousands of Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) come to Canada with hope in their hearts and a desire to serve. They leave behind families, support systems, and communities, investing tens of thousands of dollars in relocation and settlement, only to face overwhelming barriers when they arrive.

The journey of IEHPs is a story of perseverance—but also of unnecessary struggle:

• After spending years working in healthcare, they are forced to start over, navigating unclear licensing pathways that take years to complete.
• They invest tens of thousands of dollars more in the licensing process, often while working low-paying, unrelated jobs to survive.
• For parents, the stress of balancing studies, work, and family becomes unbearable. Many mothers, in particular, feel profound guilt for not spending enough time with their children, leading to depression and strained relationships.
• When exams are failed, IEHPs receive no feedback, leaving them hopeless and unsure of how to improve.

This isn’t just a professional loss; it’s a loss of dignity, mental well-being, and purpose. Many IEHPs abandon their dreams entirely, a devastating outcome for them, their families, and Canada’s healthcare system.

No one who comes here to help should feel this way. It’s time for a compassionate and supportive system that values the sacrifices IEHPs make and treats them with the dignity they deserve.

 
Our Ask
We call on the Ministry of Health to work collaboratively with other ministries to implement compassionate solutions for IEHPs, ensuring their success in licensing and integration. Specifically, we ask for the following reforms:

 
1. Provide Clear and Actionable Feedback After Licensing Exams
When IEHPs fail a licensing exam, they receive no feedback—a practice that would be unacceptable in any other Canadian educational system. Without guidance, IEHPs are left feeling hopeless and unworthy.

• Action:
  • Require regulatory bodies to provide detailed feedback on exam performance, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and actionable steps for improvement.
  • Offer resources and recommendations to help IEHPs prepare for their next attempt.
     

2. Create a National Mentorship Program with Incentives for Mentors

• Why It’s Needed:
  The licensing journey is isolating and overwhelming for many IEHPs. Mentorship can provide critical emotional and professional support, helping IEHPs adapt and succeed.
• Action:
  • Establish mentorship programs where licensed healthcare professionals guide IEHPs through licensing, professional growth, and cultural adaptation.
  • Partner with professional membership associations to offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits for mentors, allowing them to maintain their licensure while supporting IEHPs.
     

3. Provide Mental Health Support for IEHPs

• Why It’s Needed:
  The emotional toll of the licensing journey—combined with financial stress and cultural adaptation—leaves many IEHPs struggling with depression, burnout, and hopelessness.
• Action:
  • Develop accessible mental health resources tailored to IEHPs, including counseling services and peer support groups.
  • Integrate mental health support into existing IEHP-serving programs to ensure comprehensive care.
     

4. Introduce a National Childcare Support Program for IEHP Parents

• Why It’s Needed:
  Many IEHPs are parents balancing licensing preparation, work, and family responsibilities. Without childcare support, parents—especially mothers—feel guilt and stress, often leading to depression and strained relationships.
• Action:
  • Partner with libraries and community centers to create dedicated study spaces with supervised childcare for parents with children under 12.
  • Provide financial support for IEHP parents to access affordable childcare while they pursue licensing.
     

Why This Is Important
For Canada:
By supporting IEHPs, we address healthcare shortages and reduce patient wait times. Every IEHP who succeeds strengthens Canada’s healthcare system, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

For IEHPs:
This isn’t just about licensing—it’s about restoring dignity and hope to those who have sacrificed so much to be here. Compassionate support ensures IEHPs can achieve their dreams while caring for their families and themselves.

For Canadians:
Every IEHP who abandons their career represents a loss to Canada. Supporting IEHPs benefits every Canadian by creating a stronger, more inclusive healthcare system.

 
A Story of Strength and Struggle
Take Farah’s story:
Farah was a pharmacist in her home country, with over a decade of experience. She came to Canada with her husband and two young children, hoping to contribute to Canada’s healthcare system. Instead, Farah faced an uphill battle:

• She spent over $40,000 on licensing, exam prep and childcare, juggling her studies with a low-paying retail job.
• She failed her licensing exam but received no feedback on what went wrong.
• Her guilt over not spending enough time with her children led to severe depression, and she eventually gave up on her nursing career.

Farah’s story is far too common. With feedback, mentorship, mental health support, and childcare assistance, Farah could have succeeded—not just for herself but for her family and for Canada. Let’s ensure no more stories like hers are written.

What We’re Asking You to Do
Sign this petition to support:

1. Feedback for IEHPs during licensing to provide clear paths for improvement.
2. Mentorship programs with incentives for licensed professionals to guide IEHPs.
3. Mental health support tailored to IEHPs to help them navigate challenges.
4. Childcare support for IEHP parents to balance family and licensing responsibilities.
    

A Compassionate Healthcare System Benefits Us All
Supporting IEHPs is about fairness, dignity, and creating a better future for Canadian healthcare. Together, we can build a system where no skills or dreams go to waste, and every IEHP is given the respect they deserve.