Thanks, Chair.
First off, I'd just acknowledge that, yes, foreign credential recognition is an issue, and it can be a barrier for the integration of newcomers and to having newcomers working in their chosen occupations, especially in regulated occupations that represent roughly 20% of all occupations.
IRCC works really closely with the leads at Employment and Social Development Canada, and, in turn, we work with the provinces and territories—either through them or their devolved regulatory agencies that have primary oversight over regulated occupations. Having said that, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has recently taken strides to provide more, I would say, pre-arrival or pre-landing information and pathfinding to newcomers so that they're aware of what the rules are before they come to Canada and, in some cases, are able to start the pathway towards accreditation.
Then, lastly, in budget 2022, there was $115 million over five years starting in 2022 and 2023, and $30 million ongoing to expand ESDC's foreign credential recognition program and expand supports, particularly to train health professionals. Again, just to recap, it is an issue, and we're quite aware of it. We're working to resolve it with provincial and territorial partners and ESDC.