Canada is always looking to attract skilled workers to strengthen its economy as well as workforce. Four provinces roll out incentives for immigrant healthcare workers. While IRCC has taken some steps to fill urgent shortages, like those in healthcare, various provinces are attempting to attract skilled workers in the healthcare sector using financial incentives. These include tuition rebates, reimbursement for different fees, etc. 

 

Manitoba 

Originally announced in November 2022, Manitoba’s Healthcare Human Resource Action Plan is a program created to attract as well as employ around 2,000 healthcare providers throughout the province’s healthcare system. 

As part of this program, the three latest incentives introduced by the Manitoba government include: 

  • Wellness Incentive: 

This incentive provides all full-time employees a one-time increase of $500 in their Health Spending Accounts. Part-time employees will receive $250 through the same incentive.

Healthcare Spending Accounts (HSAs) are offered to all eligible Manitoba Government employees as a pathway to help them pay for eligible expenses. As per an online fact sheet published by the Manitoba government, the province’s deposits are a pre-determined amount of benefit dollars into every account, which can be further used to top-off benefit maximums or to pay for medical expenses you incur that meet the Canada Revenue Agency’s medical expense credit requirements.  

  • Licensure Reimbursement:

This incentive will provide eligible employees with reimbursement on any professional license or association membership fees for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 licensure years. In order to be eligible for this incentive, employees must be working for an included employer, be employed within the applicable licensure years, and be able to provide proof of payment for eligible fees. 

  • Weekend Premium:

This incentive will enable employees who work on weekends in order to receive an additional $8.00 premium. The Manitoba Government notes that this premium is retroactive to November 18, 2022, also adding that this incentive will continue until the next collective agreement is approved. 

Note: The incentives above represent just three of more than ten benefits available to participants of the Manitoba-based program. 

 

Newfoundland and Labrador 

Four provinces roll out incentives for immigrant healthcare workers, out of which Newfoundland and Labrador were the second. 

Through several different programs, NL offers healthcare industry workers with incentives ranging from signing bonuses to funding for those opening up their family practices across the province. One instance is the Come Home Initiative.  

This initiative is for those who have been educated in the province, performed residency in the province, trained in the province, or previously practiced medicine across the province. Newfoundland and Labrador provides a varying financial incentive for those willing to return to the province on a ‘return-in-service’ agreement. 

In layman terms, for those with prior ties to the province who are willing to commit to coming back as well as practicing for three out of five years, the province will offer different financial incentives based on their particular profession. Some examples of this incentive are: 

  • $100,000 for a five-year return-in-service agreement (Physicians)
  • $60,000 for a three-year return-in-service agreement (Nurse Practitioners)
  • $50,000 or a three-year return-in-service agreement
  • Registered Nurse
  • Licensed Practical Nurse
  • Primary Care Paramedic
  • Clinical Pharmacist

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Come Home Initiative is also available for those with no previous connection to the province. 

 

Prince Edward Island 

The Government of Prince Edward Island has recently increased the incentive for their Allied Health Professional Recruitment Incentive. 

This incentive, which is available to eligible health professionals in over 11 professions, offers eligible candidates with around $10,000 if they commit to a return-in-service agreement, i.e., 1,950 working hours. 

Eligible professions include: 

  • Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs)
  • Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technologists
  • Respiratory Therapists (RTs)
  • Sonographers
  • Social Workers
  • Pharmacy Technicians
  • Pharmacists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Dental Hygienists

A press release of July 10 from the PEI Government showcases that candidates who meet the following criteria might be eligible:

  • Be a new candidate to the workforce in PEI.
  • Not have worked at Health PEI (or another PEI-based employer, either in the public or private sector) within the last two years.
  • Not have obtained an incentive previously.

Saskatchewan 

Four provinces roll out incentives for immigrant healthcare workers, wherein Saskatchewan is the last. Saskatchewan offers several incentives for healthcare industry students as well as professionals. One example is the Graduate Retention Program. 

This program provides a $20,000 tuition rebate incentive for eligible graduates who reside and file an income tax return in the province. 

Graduate Retention Program Eligibility 

In order to be eligible for this incentive, candidates must: 

  • Have graduated from an approved post-secondary program
  • An approved program should be equivalent to at least 6 months of full-time study in Canada at a recognized and eligible institution, result in a certificate diploma or undergraduate degree, or provide a journeyperson certificate.  
  • Have applied to the program within seven years of graduation 
  • Note: 2018 Graduates have until April 30, 2025 to apply.
  • Already live in or be moving to the province.  

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