Canada is always seeking to attract skilled workers to strengthen its economy and workforce. Four provinces offer incentives for immigrant healthcare workers. While IRCC has taken steps to fill urgent shortages, like those in healthcare, various provinces are attempting to attract skilled workers in the healthcare industry using financial incentives. These include tuition rebates, reimbursement for different fees, etc. 

Manitoba 

Originally declared in November 2022, the province’s Healthcare Human Resource Action Plan is a program created to attract and employ over 2,000 healthcare providers throughout the province’s healthcare system. 

As part of this program, the three latest incentives introduced by the government of Manitoba include: 

  • Wellness Incentive: 

This incentive offers all full-time employees a one-time increase of $500 in their Health Spending Accounts. Part-time employees will obtain $250 through the same incentive.

Healthcare Spending Accounts (HSAs) are offered to all eligible Manitoba Government employees as a way to help them pay for eligible expenses. As per an online fact sheet published by the government, the province’s deposits are a pre-determined amount of benefit dollars into each account, which can be used to top-off benefit maximums or to pay for any medical expenses you incur that meet the Canada Revenue Agency’s medical expense credit requirements.  

  • Licensure Reimbursement:

This incentive will offer eligible employees with reimbursement on any professional license or association membership fees for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 licensure years. In order to be eligible for this incentive, employees must be working for an included employer, be employed within the applicable licensure years, and be able to offer proof of payment for eligible fees. 

  • Weekend Premium:

This incentive will enable employees who work on eligible weekends to obtain an additional $8.00 premium. The Government of Manitoba notes that this premium is retroactive to November 18, 2022, also adding that this incentive will continue until the next collective agreement is approved. 

Note: The incentives above represent just three of more than ten benefits available to participants of this Manitoba-based program. 

Newfoundland and Labrador 

Four provinces offer incentives for immigrant healthcare workers, out of which Newfoundland and Labrador were the second. 

Through a variety of different programs, NL offers different healthcare industry workers with incentives ranging from signing bonuses to funding for those opening up their own family practices across the province. One instance is the Come Home Initiative.  

This initiative is for, among other groups, those who have been educated in the province, performed residency in the province, trained in the province, or previously practiced medicine across the province. Newfoundland and Labrador offers a varying financial incentive for those willing to return to the province on a ‘return-in-service’ agreement. 

In simpler terms, for those with previous ties to the province who are willing to commit to coming back and practicing for three out of five years, the province will offer different financial incentives based on their specific profession. Some examples of this incentive are: 

  • $100,000 for a five-year return-in-service agreement (Physicians)
  • $60,000 for a three-year return-in-service agreement (Nurse Practitioners)
  • $50,000 or a three-year return-in-service agreement
  • Registered Nurse
  • Licensed Practical Nurse
  • Primary Care Paramedic
  • Clinical Pharmacist

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Come Home Incentive is also available for those with no prior connection to the province. 

Prince Edward Island 

The Prince Edward Island Government has recently increased the incentive for their Allied Health Professional Recruitment Incentive. 

This incentive, which is available to eligible health professionals in 11 professions, offers eligible applicants with over $10,000 if they commit to a return-in-service agreement, i.e., 1,950 working hours. 

Eligible professions include: 

  • Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs)
  • Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technologists
  • Respiratory Therapists (RTs)
  • Sonographers
  • Social Workers
  • Pharmacy Technicians
  • Pharmacists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Dental Hygienists

A press release of July 10 from the Government of PEI demonstrates that applicants who meet the following criteria might be eligible:

  • Be a new applicant to the workforce in PEI.
  • Not have worked at Health PEI (or another PEI-based employer, either in the public or private sector) within the last two years.
  • Not have previously obtained an incentive.

Saskatchewan 

Four provinces offer incentives for immigrant healthcare workers, wherein Saskatchewan was the last. The province of Saskatchewan offers multiple incentives for healthcare industry students and professionals. One instance is the Graduate Retention Program. 

This program offers a $20,000 tuition rebate incentive for eligible graduates who reside as well as file an income tax return in the province. 

Graduate Retention Program Eligibility 

In order to be eligible for this incentive, applicants must: 

  • Have graduated from an approved post-secondary program
  • An approved program should be equivalent to at least 6 months of full-time study in Canada at a recognized and eligible institution, result in a certificate diploma or undergraduate degree, or offer a journeyperson certificate.  
  • Have applied to the program within seven years of graduation 
  • Note: 2018 Graduates have until April 30, 2025 to apply.
  • Already live in or be moving to the province.  

 If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].