The College and Association of Nurses of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (CANNN) welcomes the Government of Canada’s recent announcement to invest up to $14.3 million in initiatives aimed at reducing labour shortages in the health sector through targeted support for internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs).
This investment, announced by the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, is part of the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP). Funding will be distributed across four organizations and is expected to support over 3,500 IEHPs through wage subsidies, work placements, training, coaching, and mentorship opportunities. The initiative aligns with Budget 2024, which dedicated $50 million over two years to improving credential recognition and integration of skilled professionals in both the healthcare and residential construction sectors.
With over 78,000 vacancies in the healthcare sector as of late 2024, the need to recognize and integrate internationally trained professionals is urgent. This effort will enhance Canada’s ability to deliver accessible, high-quality healthcare—particularly in northern and remote regions.
At CANNN, we are committed to ensuring that all nurses—including internationally educated nurses—are supported in their journey to practice in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. We recognize that skilled newcomers bring invaluable experience and knowledge to the profession, and we applaud national efforts to accelerate their pathways to licensure and meaningful employment.
These developments also reinforce national efforts discussed at the January 2025 Federal-Provincial-Territorial Health Ministers’ Meeting, including the publication of Caring for Canadians: Canada’s Future Health Workforce and an Ethical Framework for the Recruitment and Retention of IEHPs.
For more information on how CANNN supports internationally educated nurses and to access resources, visit our Applicant Portal or contact our registration team.
