Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that Minister Lena Metlege Diab will announce “new measures to support Canada’s health workforce” at a Toronto press conference on 8 December. While details remain under embargo, officials say the package is designed to accelerate permanent-residence pathways and credential recognition for internationally educated doctors, nurses and allied professionals already in—or seeking entry to—Canada.
The initiative follows warnings from provincial health authorities that staffing shortages are limiting patient access, especially in rural and northern communities. In 2024, the Canadian Institute for Health Information reported a national vacancy rate of 6.2 per cent for regulated nurses and 9.8 per cent for family physicians. Provincial nominee programmes have struggled to fill gaps because annual nomination allocations were cut sharply in 2025.
![IRCC to unveil new immigration measures for Canada’s health-care workforce]()
Industry insiders expect the minister to expand the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) for refugee health workers, fast-track Labour Market Impact Assessments for hospitals, and create a dedicated category in Express Entry with lower Comprehensive Ranking System thresholds for priority occupations. There is also speculation about open work-permit bridges for physicians completing residency and an increase in newcomer settlement funding earmarked for licensing exam preparation.
For global mobility managers, streamlined processing could reduce lead times for clinical secondees and ease compliance burdens when moving specialised medical staff across borders. However, demand is likely to be intense; employers should prepare robust advertising and credential packages to secure invitations quickly once the new streams open.
The announcement will be livestreamed on YouTube at 09:00 EST. IRCC says media must RSVP by 18:00 EST on 7 December—an indication that further documentation may be released immediately after the event.
The initiative follows warnings from provincial health authorities that staffing shortages are limiting patient access, especially in rural and northern communities. In 2024, the Canadian Institute for Health Information reported a national vacancy rate of 6.2 per cent for regulated nurses and 9.8 per cent for family physicians. Provincial nominee programmes have struggled to fill gaps because annual nomination allocations were cut sharply in 2025.
Industry insiders expect the minister to expand the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) for refugee health workers, fast-track Labour Market Impact Assessments for hospitals, and create a dedicated category in Express Entry with lower Comprehensive Ranking System thresholds for priority occupations. There is also speculation about open work-permit bridges for physicians completing residency and an increase in newcomer settlement funding earmarked for licensing exam preparation.
For global mobility managers, streamlined processing could reduce lead times for clinical secondees and ease compliance burdens when moving specialised medical staff across borders. However, demand is likely to be intense; employers should prepare robust advertising and credential packages to secure invitations quickly once the new streams open.
The announcement will be livestreamed on YouTube at 09:00 EST. IRCC says media must RSVP by 18:00 EST on 7 December—an indication that further documentation may be released immediately after the event.
