Vancouver, British Columbia – Employment and Social Development

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism, today announced the creation of the Panel on Employment Challenges of New Canadians as part of the Government of Canada’s action plan to improve foreign credential recognition for internationally trained professionals.

Minister Kenney underlined that while the Government of Canada has already taken significant action to better integrate new Canadians into the workplace, more can be done. New Canadians play a key role in our workforce, but our economy and society can benefit even more by finding better ways to tap into their skills and talents.

The Panel is being led by experts in the areas of newcomer integration, diversity and certification. It is the next step the Government is taking so that internationally trained professionals can get jobs in their fields faster.

The Panel is being chaired by Mr. Nick Noorani, an immigrant advocate and social entrepreneur. He will be joined by six other expert panel members: Mr. Kim Allen, Ms. Wafa Berny, Dr. Lori Campbell, Ms. Margaret Eaton, Mr. Robert Henderson and Ms. Christine Nielsen.

The Panel is now meeting with employers, immigration-serving organizations, professional associations, regulatory bodies and academics in seven cities across Canada. Provinces and territories are also participating. There is also an online consultation accessible to all Canadians through the Employment and Social Development Canada website.

The Panel will prepare a report to the Government based on its findings. This report will provide an opportunity to develop new and innovative approaches to improve the hiring and integration of newcomers into the workforce. As well, it will highlight lessons learned in preparing newcomers to enter the Canadian labour market. The report will be available to the public in early 2015.

Quick facts

The Government of Canada provides coordination and financial support to improve credential recognition in 24 target occupations that represent over 80 percent of newcomers. Action taken to date includes:

• A microloans pilot project to help internationally trained workers cover the cost of having their credentials recognized. To date, more than 1,400 skilled newcomers have benefitted from these microloans.
• A new Framework for foreign credential recognition, which was launched in partnership with the provinces and territories. Under the Framework, internationally trained workers who submit an application to be licensed or registered to work in certain fields, along with all fees and relevant documents, will be advised within one year how their credentials compare to Canadian standards. They may also be advised of additional requirements or be directed to alternative occupations that would benefit from their skills and experience.
• Service standards that allow internationally trained professionals in priority occupations to have their credentials assessed within one year, anywhere in Canada. Recent annual rates of newcomers entering the pathway to licensure in Framework occupations include: 5,600 engineers; 3,100 physicians; 2,000 pharmacists; 1,100 physiotherapists; and 1,200 dentists.

Quotes

“Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Our government recognizes that skilled newcomers help fill shortages in key occupations and make an important contribution to Canada’s economy. The work of the Panel will help to shape strategies to better integrate newcomers into the workforce and break down barriers faced by employers when hiring and retaining newcomers.”

– The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister for Multiculturalism

“As someone who has experienced firsthand both the struggles and the successes of adapting to living in Canada after immigrating here in 1998, chairing this Panel is very important to me. Everyone benefits when we successfully integrate new Canadians.”

– Nick Noorani, Immigrant Advocate and Chair of the Panel on Employment Challenges of New Canadians