Health Committee on Nov. 18th, 2025

[Doug Eyolfson, Liberal, Winnipeg West, MB]

Sorry; I was just clarifying.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much. Your time is up, Mr. Eyolfson.

I will now go to another round. We will begin a five-minute round with Ms. Konanz for the Conservatives.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Thank you, Chair.

We got cut off, unfortunately, during my last question round, and I wanted to ask something of Minister Michel.

The foreign credential recognition action fund in the budget says it will be run with a focus on health. It will cost taxpayers $97 million over five years. What is the target of medical credentials you intend this fund to recognize? Just give me a number.

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

What you need to understand is while that program is for health, it's developed by ESDC, and it's new funding.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

It's focused on health—

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

Yes, but it's for foreign recognition.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

—though, so do you know how many people will be credentialled?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Excuse me; order.

If a question is asked, a witness should be allowed to answer, please. It's simple respect.

Thank you.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Just give me a number if you happen to have one, because I know it has a focus on health, and it's obviously important to the entire country, this foreign credential recognition, because we need doctors.

How many doctors will that allow to practise?

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

As I said, this funding is going under ESDC, even if we are talking about health, and ESDC is now working on it and developing targets. What I did, as I said already, is I spoke with my counterparts—all the ministers of health.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Excuse me; I'm sorry to interrupt, but how much of this will be going towards credential recognition for doctors and the medical profession? What percentage of the $97 million—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

The minister is trying to answer the question, Ms. Konanz—

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

I'm asking for a number.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

—if you will allow her.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

I don't have much time, Chair—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

That's true.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

—and I want to ask if you have a number because—

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

I already told you that the program is designed by ESDC.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Oh, I'm sorry; what is the number? I missed it.

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

They are developing targets now.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

How do you know—

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

We just got this $97 million, so ESDC is...and we still have a vote tonight.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

There will be one doctor credentialled or 300, but you don't know?

[Marjorie Michel, Liberal, Papineau, QC]

You have your answer.

[Helena Konanz, Conservative, Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC]

Okay.

I will cede the rest of my time to Dr. Strauss.