Human Resources committee  I just want to make sure that I understood your question. You wanted to know what professions we're serving with the bridging programs and how we know if there's a shortage of skills, but I didn't understand or hear properly the last part of your question. I'm sorry.

Human Resources committee  Thank you. In terms of professions, Ontario has funded bridge programs for training in more than 100 professions. We have a program in every regulated profession that has major immigrant landings, and by that, I mean immigrant landings of more 10. We have nursing, medical lab

Human Resources committee  Sure. Thank you for your question. In terms of the federal and the provincial roles, I mentioned that Ontario has negotiated successfully a contribution agreement with the Department of Citizenship and Immigration to meet the funding needs of bridge training programs in Ontario

Human Resources committee  We collect that information. I have to say that it's not always submitted in the most rigorous manner, but I can answer your question. The ages range enormously, but most of the individuals are in their thirties to early forties. That fits with the profile of immigrants at the t

Human Resources committee  We have contributed to it by offering what Ontario has done in terms of developing tools. We have participated in the process in a consultative way. Ontario has, for a number of years, piloted and funded foreign credential recognition tools and processes. Through a competitive

Human Resources committee  I mentioned that it would helpful to be able to better share across Canada the work that is effective. I think we have much to learn from all provinces, but we need a way of disseminating those results. Let me give you an example. Our pharmacy program has already been working wit

Human Resources committee  I'm glad you asked that question. I was hoping you might. The training cycle for an individual is not three years, but it does take three years to develop curriculum, to pilot test it, and then to get the results and analyze them. We have seen that this is typically a three-year

Human Resources committee  Are you referring to the bursary pilot? I believe that the ministry may continue that program beyond March 31, 2011. I also know that the uptake of that program was very good. According to the comments we've heard, the financial assistance made a difference to an individual's a

Human Resources committee  Do you mean how many received a bursary? I'd have to check, but I will send the information to the clerk.

Human Resources committee  Yes.

Human Resources committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, and honourable members, for having Ontario here today. Thank you for the opportunity to present an overview of Ontario's bridge training programs. Immigration is fundamental to Ontario's economic future, and Ontario recognizes the increasingly important ro