Thank you for the question. A number of actions are currently being taken to improve the process of recognizing immigrants' credentials. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada is working very closely with the Foreign Credentials Referral Office and with Health Canada at the federal level to coordinate efforts with the provinces and territories.
I should mention that, after a lot of work between the provinces and territories and the federal government, the premiers announced the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications in the fall of 2009. Following extensive work, the governments identified 10 occupations that should constitute a path to recognition determined by all governments and regulatory groups responsible in the provinces and territories by December.
There will consequently be another round until 2012 concerning another 10 occupations. We've determined key occupations based on the volume of immigrants already settled here who possess certain credentials or training, in order to determine what occupations persons interested in coming to Canada carry on. Of all occupations, we have identified 10 for the first round and another 10 for the next round.