Canada - Ontario creates one-stop shop for health professionals

Ontario is creating a resource and recruitment center to assist foreigners in navigating the registration practices and procedures required to become licensed to work in the Canadian health care industry, according to Ontario Citizenship and Immigration Minister Mike Colle and Ontario Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman.

Called Global Experience Ontario, it will also be home to Ontario's 'HealthForceOntario Strategy', designed to attract and retain outside professionals to assist in the health care needs of patients.

"We've listened to newcomers who have said that one of the major barriers they face is getting accurate and accessible information about registration practices in regulated professions," Colle said. "Global Experience Ontario is the first centre of its kind in Ontario and a central link to vital newcomer services across the province."

"We are thrilled to be partnering with the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration to offer a single point of access for information for health professionals looking for the advantages of working in Ontario and assist internationally trained health professionals to apply their skills in our province," said Smitherman.

Global Experience Ontario, an Access and Resource Centre for the Internationally Trained stems from the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act of 2006. The Act ensures that the health care profession's licensing process is fair, clear and open.

This project is part of the Ontario's efforts to provide assistance to immigrants in integrating into the Canadian workforce. Other initiatives include job-specific language training and providing lists of occupations that have a shortage of workers.

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