Human Resources committee  For me, the issue is determining what we need to know from these people to be able to feel comfortable that they have the competencies we require to do the job. I think we're spending a lot of time asking for things that may not be necessary. When I meet with immigrants, they want to show me what they can do.

Human Resources committee  No. I guess I just wanted to go back to the basics and to help, which is what we're trying to do in Manitoba. I work with 31 regulators. I meet with them on a regular basis. We're doing a lot of work. The challenge is really determining what you need to know in order to feel that these people are competent.

Human Resources committee  In Manitoba, the government reorganized things a few years ago, so all of those areas are actually within one department, which has been very helpful. From pre-immigration information to support when people get here to gap training programs to all of the supports for the regulators, it's all done within the same department.

Human Resources committee  I think the notion of laddering is one that would be very useful. It's not happening. For example, dentistry, which I'm familiar with, has four different occupations within it. It would be possible to assess people. Maybe a person meets a certain basic requirement and can be an assistant, which is the first level.

Human Resources committee  You can call me Ximena; it's easier. Well, Ontario's situation is very different from the rest of the country's. As Suzanne was saying, they're all really important and interesting, but it's not the reality across the country. In Manitoba there are very few programs where people can actually get work experience and get paid; those are almost non-existent.

Human Resources committee  Yes, we do. We have a very successful provincial nominee program that does that. We have no control over are the spouses of people who come selected for a particular profession. So we have more doctors or dentists coming in who have not been selected, but they are the spouses of someone who has been selected.

Human Resources committee  Sorry, I'm not sure I understand the question.

Human Resources committee  I think, for sure, multiple departments to get.... No, sorry, single-source, I guess—

Human Resources committee  Yes, working together for sure. I think the information is very good. The issue with information is that it has to be the right information. That's where we're failing right now. Regulators are not involved in what information is being put out there. Much of the information out there is just not specific enough to be helpful to people.

Human Resources committee  We've started to. I think they've been helpful initially in just looking at our approach. When I first came on, I went to Ontario and spent some time with the office in Ontario. Nova Scotia is now doing the same thing. We are looking for a venue to actually get together. We get together at conferences or things like that.

Human Resources committee  Well, my perspective is this: why is it that we haven't solved this? People have been working at this for years and years. We're not stupid people. Why is it that we still have a problem? I think initially it had a lot to do with pointing fingers, i.e., whose responsibility was this?

Human Resources committee  I'm not sure there is one thing.

Human Resources committee  Money: financial support for regulators and financial support for the gap training and bridging programs. We have some very good programs in Manitoba. Everything is pilot. There's no money. They're not sustainable. There's no money for ongoing programming.

Human Resources committee  Can I follow up on that?

Human Resources committee  I can tell you that in Manitoba it is a real issue. In the rural areas, the locations are small and far away. The situation we're facing in Manitoba is around the fact that doctors, the international medical graduates who are getting assessed, can get a provisional licence to practise, but the provisional licence is only to practise outside of Winnipeg.