Canada continues to face significant labour shortages in healthcare as the demand for qualified professionals continues to grow. The Government of Canada remains committed to investing in projects that support the integration of internationally educated health professionals into Canada's labour market, ensuring that skilled newcomers can contribute to sectors that Canadians need most.
Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, was joined by Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to recognize the progress of Expanding NICHE: Scale and Spread of Streamlined Pathways to Licensure and Employment, which received up to $10 million in funding through the Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Program.
The NICHE project will enhance Nova Scotia's International Community of Healthcare Workers Engagement Program. Over a 48-month period, it will serve approximately 370 internationally trained health professionals, providing valuable work experience and reducing barriers to foreign credential recognition in five priority professions: licensed practical nurses; medical laboratory technologists; medical radiation technologists and other diagnostic imaging professions; pharmacists and pharmacy technicians; and respiratory therapists.
On January 15, 2024, funding was announced under the FCR Program for 16 organizations that are helping to increase capacity for the recognition of foreign credentials for approximately 6,600 internationally educated health professionals. NICHE is one of the approved FCR projects. This funding is building on the commitment made by the Government of Canada with provinces and territories during the October 2023 Health Ministers' Meeting to take concrete actions to address challenges facing Canada's health workforce, including reducing the time it takes for internationally educated health professionals to join the health workforce.
