The federal government has announced up to $10 million in funding for a project aimed at helping internationally trained healthcare professionals work in Nova Scotia. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address significant labour shortages in Canada’s healthcare sector.
Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, announced the funding for the Expanding NICHE project—an initiative designed to streamline pathways to licensure and employment for internationally educated health professionals. The project, supported through the Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Program, will assist approximately 370 healthcare workers over the next four years.
“By investing in initiatives like NICHE, we are not only strengthening the workforce across Nova Scotia, but also ensuring that internationally educated professionals can use their skills to contribute meaningfully to Canada’s economy,” said Fraser.
The NICHE project focuses on five key professions: licensed practical nurses, medical laboratory technologists, medical radiation technologists, pharmacists, and respiratory therapists. According to the government, these fields face critical shortages, underscoring the urgent need for skilled workers in Canada’s healthcare system.
Funding for the NICHE project builds on a January announcement by the FCR Program, which committed resources to 16 organizations working to support approximately 6,600 internationally trained health professionals across Canada. The funding aligns with a promise made at the October 2023 Health Ministers’ Meeting to reduce delays for internationally educated workers entering Canada’s healthcare workforce.
Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, highlighted the local impact, stating, “Many brilliant and dedicated healthcare workers call Halifax West home. They want to put their talents to use treating Nova Scotian patients, but too often they face steep barriers to working if they did their medical training abroad. Today’s announcement is about tearing down that wall and getting healthcare workers to work.”
The FCR Program, which is funded through federal budgets, aims to improve the efficiency of credential recognition processes in healthcare and other sectors. According to government data, Canada’s healthcare sector had more than 92,000 unfilled positions in early 2024. To address this, Budget 2024 allocated $50 million over two years to the FCR Program, with a particular focus on healthcare and residential construction sectors.
With immigration levels expected to reach 500,000 by 2025, the federal government is positioning the FCR Program as a means to help skilled newcomers integrate into the Canadian workforce more effectively.
