November 12, 2024 (Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia) Employment and Social Development Canada
Canada is facing a shortage of health professionals, particularly in rural and remote communities that face unique challenges attracting and retaining health care workers. The Government of Canada is taking steps to ensure Canadians have access to health care no matter where they live.
Today, Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, announced that doctors and nurses working in communities of 30,000 or fewer are now eligible for Canada Student Loan forgiveness. The amendment to the definition of "underserved rural or remote community" means doctors and nurses working in over 200 new communities qualify for the benefit.
This change is expected to incentivize over 900 additional doctors and nurses to work in rural and remote communities over the next 10 years. It is also expected to increase the availability of health care services for approximately 1.7 million Canadians living in newly eligible areas.
This announcement builds on other recent investments including a 50% increase to the maximum amount of forgivable Canada Student Loans for doctors and nurses who work in underserved rural or remote communities. Family physicians and family medicine residents in these communities are now eligible for up to $60,000 in loan forgiveness over five years, and a nurse or nurse practitioner is eligible for up to $30,000 in loan forgiveness over five years.
Reducing financial barriers to education and training for nurses and doctors can encourage many talented Canadians to pursue this career option and improve access to health care so that Canadians across the country get the quality care they need.
