Canada’s population has increased by more than five million in the past decade. During the same time, Canada has admitted only 167 medical professionals. This has put a strain on Canada’s healthcare system, which is making it challenging for many individuals in Canada to access regular healthcare services, especially family physicians. Let’s understand why Canada requires more immigrant doctors to help you understand immigration prospects. A report from January revealed that around 6.5 million individuals in Canada don’t have routine access to their doctors. 

The country’s population growth, along with other notable factors that hinder the availability of doctors across the nation, has had significant effects on Canadians. The lack of medical professionals across the country is a significant issue in Canada. Both federal and provincial governments are striving to address this situation and implement steps for it. They are increasing the immigration of trained healthcare experts.

What are the challenges international Medical Graduates encounter currently?

A December 2022 data from the Canadian government reveals that in Canada, one in every four workers in the healthcare field is an immigrant. When considering healthcare workers in Canada by profession, the percentage of immigrants is as follows:

  • 23% of registered nurses
  • 35% of nurse aides and related occupations
  • 36% of physicians
  • 37% of pharmacists
  • 39% of dentists
  • 54% of dental technologists and related occupations

Despite having remarkable percentages, foreign individuals skilled in healthcare professions or International Medical Graduates (IMGs) frequently encounter challenges in securing medical residence in Canada. This, as per the report, is because of the caps on the total number of IMGs that can secure a position in the nation. 

Furthermore, because of Canada’s residency system, many medical schools prefer their graduates. This makes it challenging for IMGs to pursue medical practice in Canada.

The president of the CMA, Dr. Kathleen Ross, stated that this poses a challenge for the healthcare system in Canada. This is because the nation is not creating adequate national primary care doctors to meet the healthcare needs of people in Canada.

This is why Canada requires more skilled immigrant doctors to assist its local workforce in the healthcare sector. However, International Medical Graduates (IMGs) experience specific barriers that can stop them from practicing in Canada.

How is Canada dealing with the challenges encountered by IMGs?

Besides welcoming more skilled professionals in the healthcare sector, the Canadian immigration department is making efforts to resolve the problems faced by International Medical Graduates or IMGs. One such attempt is that IRCC is funding foreign credential recognition.  

As per a report released by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) in January, the Canadian government has allotted nearly $86 million in funding to 15 corporations in Canada. 

ESDC noted that this investment will be used to raise the capacity for the foreign credential recognition of around 6600 foreign skilled healthcare professionals. In addition, IRCC will use it to assist highly qualified and skilled immigrants in obtaining adequate acknowledgment for their international credentials.

Other Reasons Why Canada Requires More Immigrant Doctors

Canada is witnessing an unprecedented population growth rate. Notably, the third quarter of 2023 marked the fastest growth rate since 1957. However, compared to the growth rate, the supply of family doctors is failing to keep up with the demands. This is due to a variety of notable reasons.

Family medicine is becoming less popular among medical graduates.

According to the January report, family medicine is becoming less popular among medical graduates. 

This is because, as per a report from the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS), in the last nine years, the portion of medical graduates who selected family medicine as their profession for gaining residency training has decreased. It indicates a notable decrease of over seven percent during these years. In 2014, 37.8% of graduates selected family medicine, but the figure has dropped by 2023 to 30.3%. 

In addition, as per the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), nearly 1000 more family doctors are switching their profession each year as compared to the ones that are selecting this field to enter the workforce.

Furthermore, Ivy Lynn Bourgeault, the Canada Health Workforce Network director, revealed that an increasing number of family physicians are earning certifications to practice in specialties such as emergency, sports, and anesthesiology. This enables them to work out of the clinic environment. 

Overall, these figures and data suggest that Canadians who want to work in the healthcare sector are less interested in this particular discipline. This has resulted in a major obstacle to the availability of family physicians in Canada. 

Limited Expansions of Medical Residencies 

As per the report, in the present scenario, the medical schools in Canada only accept 167 additional doctors for required postgraduate training compared to the number they admitted a decade ago. 

This is alarming because, as per current population estimation, Canada needs around 49,000 more family doctors by 2031.

The good news is that some Canadian provinces are already attempting to address this issue. Some provincial governments are planning to increase the capacity of medical schools in the near future.   

In Canada, both provincial and territorial governments share the healthcare responsibility. Thus, the physical training and licensing are under their control.

Canada’s additional initiatives to meet the current demand for immigrant doctors

Besides funding foreign credential recognition, Canada is planning to admit more foreign-skilled doctors. At the federal level, Canada has begun category-based Express Entry draws, which include the healthcare category. The new draws include various categories that are experiencing urgent shortages. 

At the provincial level, medical schools are expanding the available spaces and are planning to establish new schools. The following are the three Canadian provinces that are implementing these measures.

Ontario: The province plans to add 449 more postgraduate medical training spaces in the upcoming five years. Among these, 154 seats are expected to arrive online in the next half of 2024 at different medical schools in the province.

Prince Edward Island (PEI): The University of PEI is planning to establish a new medical school in the autumn of 2025.

British Columbia (BC): The Simon Fraser University in BC also intends to open a new medical school at the university’s Surrey campus in 2026.