The Canadian Medical Association is calling on the federal government to fast-track immigration and licensing for American health professionals amid a spike in interest from those disillusioned by upheaval in the United States.
Interest from American medical graduates in practising in Canada has surged more than fivefold, the CMA said, citing a 583 per cent increase in registrations to an online portal that helps Canadian and international graduates take the first steps toward licensure.
The organization linked the spike to political and structural changes in the U.S., including widespread layoffs and cuts to health programs and research roles under former president Donald Trump.
Several provinces — including British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Saskatchewan — have already taken steps to lower barriers and speed up recruitment. Health employers and associations across the country, from Toronto’s University Health Network to Doctors Manitoba, are also ramping up their efforts.
Push for national strategy
While those moves are encouraging, the CMA said they are not enough without federal coordination.
“Recruiting physicians and other health workers cannot solely be a patchwork effort. It must be a national priority,” said Dr. Joss Reimer, president of the CMA.
The organization is pressing the federal government to modernize immigration policies and leverage ministerial exemptions to create a streamlined, expedited pathway for qualified American doctors and scientists.
Call to federal party leaders
With 6.5 million Canadians lacking regular access to primary care, the CMA said now is the time to “pull all levers” to expand the health workforce.
Reimer urged each of the federal party leaders to commit to reforms that would improve access to care and turn the moment into a lasting advantage for the country.
“Canada has a unique opportunity in this moment to take advantage of this brain gain to become a scientific and medical powerhouse,” she said.
