Immigrants are significantly shaping Canada’s healthcare sector, with one-quarter of healthcare workers being foreign-born. This trend is set to intensify, as the impending retirement of approximately 500,000 healthcare professionals, primarily aged 55 and older, creates opportunities for IEHPs to fill the gaps.
Canada, renowned for its inclusive immigration policies, has consistently attracted individuals seeking fresh opportunities and a better life. Among these newcomers, a crucial segment consists of internationally educated healthcare professionals, including nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and dentists, who play an indispensable role in Canada’s healthcare sector.
Statistics Canada report reveals IEHP contributions
A recent report by Statistics Canada sheds light on the remarkable contributions, as well as the challenges and potential solutions, of IEHPs in the country.
The Statistics Canada report underlines that 58 percent of IEHPs in Canada are currently employed in their respective healthcare roles. While this statistic is significant, it falls slightly short of the 80 percent employment rate among their Canadian-educated counterparts. Importantly, this data includes IEHPs working not just in healthcare but also in non-healthcare positions.
Immigrants are profoundly shaping Canada’s healthcare landscape, with one-quarter of healthcare workers being foreign-born. This trend is expected to intensify as approximately 500,000 healthcare professionals, primarily aged 55 and older, retire, creating opportunities for IEHPs to bridge the gaps.
Diverse demographics, educational backgrounds
The demographics of IEHPs in Canada are diverse. Many arrived during their prime working years, with half migrating between the ages of 25 and 34. An intriguing development is that nearly one-third of all IEHPs came to Canada between 2016 and 2021. Among them, two-thirds are under the age of 50, and women make up a substantial 70 percent of this group.
Ontario leads in hosting the highest concentration of IEHPs, with 116,310 individuals. British Columbia and Alberta follow with 45,235 and 42,035 IEHPs, respectively. In contrast, Canada’s northern territories and the Atlantic provinces have fewer IEHPs.
A significant revelation from the report is that 63 percent of IEHPs received their education in Asia, with 11 percent studying in English-speaking Western countries. Manitoba stands out with the highest percentage of IEHPs educated in Asia, reaching 75 percent.
Healthcare occupations among IEHPs
When breaking down healthcare occupations among IEHPs, one-third pursued nursing, with registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses comprising 34 percent of this group. The top five healthcare occupations include nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates (21 percent), licensed practical nurses (eight percent), light-duty cleaners (two percent) and social and community service workers (two percent). Interestingly, Prince Edward Island boasts over half of its IEHPs with nursing backgrounds.
Physicians trained as IEHPs constitute 15 percent of this workforce, with Newfoundland and Labrador hosting the majority. This province also reports the highest employment rate for IEHPs in healthcare roles, at 74 percent. Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan also exhibit high employment rates for IEHPs in healthcare, exceeding 65 percent. However, in other parts of Canada, only 46 percent of IEHPs secure healthcare employment.
Potential, challenges in the healthcare sector
Considering the substantial number of IEHPs in Canada, these newcomers hold the potential to alleviate labor shortages in the healthcare sector. As of June this year, Statistics Canada reported 147,100 job openings, underscoring the demand for healthcare professionals.
However, one of the primary challenges facing IEHPs is the complexity of obtaining licensure in regulated professions across different provinces. Each province imposes distinct requirements, creating a formidable barrier.
Some provinces, such as Nova Scotia and Ontario, are taking steps to remove these obstacles by fast-tracking licensing for select international nurses and simplifying registration with reduced work experience requirements.
Policy shifts
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada have also introduced six Express Entry categories emphasizing occupation over Comprehensive Ranking System scores, with 2,000 healthcare professionals receiving Invitations to Apply in 2023.
A significant policy shift occurred in October 2022 when IRCC allowed temporary resident physicians to apply for Express Entry, a substantial change from their previous self-employment status.
The report from Statistics Canada not only highlights the substantial contributions of IEHPs to Canada’s healthcare sector but also emphasizes the challenges they face in obtaining licensure and securing employment.
While provinces like Nova Scotia and Ontario are making strides in easing these barriers, more comprehensive, nationwide initiatives may be necessary to fully harness the potential of these skilled professionals.
As Canada continues to rely on immigration to bolster its workforce, ensuring that IEHPs can seamlessly integrate into their respective professions will be crucial. Their success is not only a testament to Canada’s commitment to diversity but also a key factor in addressing healthcare workforce shortages and providing quality care to its citizens.
