Image via WikipediaIt will soon be a little easier for foreign medical doctors to obtain their licenses in Canada. Because of the shortage of medical doctors in this country, the Medical council of Canada will soon receive more than 2.8 million dollars to help foreign trained physicians practice in Canada.While 2.8 million may seem like a lot, it is nothing compared to the $50 million that the government has invested to improve foreign credential recognition. Although it may seem that it is only now that Canada is realizing it’s shortage of skilled medical personnel, a lot of money has been invested since 2006 to ensure that foreign doctors have an easier time obtaining work in Canada. It is definitely a project that is important to both Canadian citizens and the government alike.
The Foreign Credentials Referral Office was created in 2007 with an initial investment of $37.2 million to be distributed over five years. This was increased by $7.5 million in Budget 2009 and subsequently by $6 million in 2010–2011.
“Canadians with loved ones who are sick or injured want foreign-trained medical doctors in the emergency room or the doctor’s office doing what they do best,” said Minister Kenney. “This investment is part of the federal government’s overall action plan to work with the provinces and territories to ensure that licensing bodies put in place better programs to recognize foreign credentials.”
The Medical Council of Canada will soon be implementing a system whereby foreign doctors can apply electronically to have their credentials recognized.
“Once the application for medical registration launches in 2012, the process to apply for a medical licence will become much easier,” said Dr. Trevor Theman, Vice-President of the Medical Council of Canada’s Executive Board. “Physicians will only have to submit a pre‑populated electronic application and provide access to authenticated credentials.”
Source: Canada Immigration news.
