Yes, I'm Soyoung Park from IRCC.
Thank you, Chair and members of the committee.
At IRCC, our role is to ensure sustainable admissions of temporary and permanent residents and to support the integration of internationally educated professionals to fuel economic growth. Canada's latest immigration levels plan advances this work by aligning future immigration with priority labour needs, including in health care.
Immigration operates in parallel with provincial and territorial health care systems. Planning, licensing and delivery of health services are their responsibilities.
During our consultations on the 2025-27 immigration levels plan and our ongoing dialogue with the health sector, we were consistently told that Canada needs more health professionals.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is responding to this demand in three ways. First, we have implemented temporary worker programs that respond to the immediate needs of the labour market. Second, we have launched permanent residence programs that support the health sector. Third, we offer settlement services that promote the recognition of credentials and integration.
One, temporary foreign worker programs allow employers to fill gaps in hospitals and long-term and community care settings. As of September 30, 2025, over 16,000 temporary workers had permits to work in a range of health care occupations.
These programs also offer flexibility with regard to regulated professions. They allow candidates who are on track to obtain a licence to work in the sector while continuing the process of having their credentials recognized.
A recent study by Statistics Canada found that temporary worker programs played an important role in filling labour gaps to reduce the burden on overworked domestic health care workers. In addition, one year after transitioning to permanent residence, nearly two-thirds of temporary foreign workers remain working in the health care sector.
Two, on permanent residents, more than 11,000 health care workers arrived in 2024 and another 8,000 so far this year. There have been criticisms that we are admitting foreign doctors who are underemployed. We know that not all internationally trained medical professionals, regardless of whether they are Canadian citizens or obtained permanent residence through IRCC programs, are able to work in their field right away. In all cases, licensing requirements from regulators must be met.
However, limiting the permanent residence options for these individuals would only reduce the pool of qualified candidates who could obtain a licence later and contribute to the Canadian health care system.
At the federal level, we select candidates based on skilled work experience, education, language ability or high human capital. Economic immigrants consistently demonstrate strong labour market outcomes, including high employment rates and earnings. Health care workers are not the exception.
Number three is IRCC settlement services. Credential recognition remains the major factor in how quickly internationally educated health professionals can work as health professionals in Canada. While licensing is carried out by provincial and territorial regulators, IRCC works closely with Employment and Social Development Canada and Health Canada to support labour market integration.
IRCC-funded settlement services help newcomers prepare for their credential pathway and understand labour market expectations. Pre-arrival services such as PASS for nurses offer counselling, connections to regulators and mentors and guidance on the steps required to practice in Canada.
Our approach to immigration is designed to meet economic needs while respecting the capacity of communities. Health professionals who come to Canada play a vital role in strengthening health systems nationwide.