We, the undersigned, call for urgent action to reform the pathway for Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) to practice in Canada.

Canada's healthcare system is in crisis. Prolonged Emergency Room (ER) wait times, severe staff shortages, and an underutilized pool of highly qualified healthcare professionals are risking patients' lives. Meanwhile, thousands of Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) are left stranded, unable to practice despite their extensive training and experience.

Canada's Healthcare Crisis: The Statistics

• ER Wait Times: Canadians face some of the longest ER wait times in the world. In a study published in Canadian Family Physician, 29% of Canadians reported waiting four hours or more in emergency departments, compared to just 1% in France (PMC.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).
• Healthcare Professional Shortages:
  
  • Nursing Shortfall: Canada is projected to face a shortage of 60,000 nurses by 2022, which could exceed 117,000 by 2030 (PMC.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).
  • Job Vacancies: By Q1 2023, Canada had 95,200 job vacancies in health occupations, more than double the vacancies reported in 2020 (Statcan.gc.ca).

The Solution: Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs)

• Available Workforce: As of 2021, approximately 259,695 IEHPs live in Canada, yet many of them are unable to practice due to bureaucratic barriers (Statcan.gc.ca).
• Underutilization: While 76% of IEHPs are employed, only 58% of them are working in healthcare, indicating a vast underutilization of available talent (CICNews.com).
• Government Initiatives: While recent initiatives aim to help 6,600 IEHPs find work in Canada, this only scratches the surface of the available talent (Canada.ca).

Why Reform is Necessary

Canada is facing an urgent shortage of healthcare professionals while a large number of qualified IEHPs remain sidelined. These professionals, many of whom have decades of experience, are ready and willing to fill gaps in Canada's healthcare system. However, the current licensing process is cumbersome, expensive, and takes years to navigate. For many, this results in wasted potential and forces them to seek employment outside their field, contributing to the gig economy instead of practicing medicine or nursing.

What Needs to Change

1. Streamline the Licensing Process: Implement a quicker, more efficient pathway for IEHPs to gain licensure and enter the workforce, similar to the models used by the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. These countries provide opportunities for IMGs to begin working almost immediately after passing their exams.

2. Recognize Foreign Credentials More Effectively: Develop systems to better assess and recognize foreign qualifications and experience, reducing the burden of redundant examinations.

3. Support Immigrants in Healthcare: Enhance programs to allow foreign-trained healthcare professionals to integrate into the Canadian system with adequate support and training programs.

4. Provide Financial Assistance: Offer financial support to help IEHPs cover licensing exam costs, which can be prohibitively expensive.

The Benefits of Reform

• Immediate Relief for Healthcare System: By streamlining licensing for IEHPs, Canada can immediately address critical shortages in nursing, medicine, and other healthcare professions.
• Increased Access to Care for Canadians: Shortening wait times and providing more doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals will ensure better access to medical care for Canadians in urgent need.
• Boost to the Canadian Economy: Empowering skilled workers to practice in their fields increases economic productivity and supports the growth of Canada's healthcare sector.

Join Us in Calling for Change

It is time for Canada to invest in its healthcare system by utilizing the talent of Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals. We urge the government to urgently reform the licensing process, address the workforce shortage, and ensure that the skills of these professionals are fully utilized for the benefit of all Canadians. The future of Canadian healthcare depends on it.

Your Voice Matters – Sign the Petition Now

As Canada approaches a crucial election, this is the time to make your voice heard. Healthcare is one of the most pressing issues facing Canadians today, and we cannot afford to ignore the urgent need for reform. The Medical Council of Canada (MCC), provincial licensing authorities, and policymakers all play a role in creating the barriers that prevent Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) from entering the workforce. By signing this petition, you are not only urging politicians to prioritize healthcare reform but also putting pressure on the Medical Council of Canada and other key organizations to streamline licensing processes and remove unnecessary hurdles.

Every signature strengthens our collective demand for a healthcare system that works for everyone. Let’s hold all responsible parties accountable and push for immediate action to ensure that IEHPs are integrated into the workforce, reducing wait times and addressing staffing shortages. Together, we can ensure that healthcare is a top priority in this election and beyond. Sign the petition now and raise your concerns about the healthcare system—our future depends on it.

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