Four states that offer incentives to immigrants with experience in the health professions

Canada is always looking to attract skilled workers to strengthen its economy and workforce.

Although Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has taken steps to fill urgent shortages such as those in health care, several provinces are trying to attract skilled workers to the health care industry using incentives from finances.

These include tuition discounts, reimbursement of various fees and more.

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This article will provide an overview of some of these incentives, organized by province.

Manitoba (MB)

Announced in November 2022, Manitoba’s Health Human Resource Action Plan is a program designed to attract and hire 2,000 health providers across the province’s health system.

As part of this program, three recent incentives presented by the Government of Manitoba include:

• Health Impact: This incentive gives all full-time employees a one-time $500 boost to their Health Accounts (in addition to their existing wages). Part-time workers will receive $250 in the same incentive.

Healthcare Spending Accounts (HSAs) are offered to all eligible Manitoba government employees as a way to help them pay for eligible expenses. According to an online fact sheet published by the state, the province “retains a predetermined amount of benefit dollars in [each account, which] can be used to supplement existing benefits, or to cover any medical expenses you incur [Canada Revenue Agency’s medical expense credit] requirements.

• License Refund: This incentive will provide eligible employees with a refund on any professional license or association membership fees for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 license years. To qualify for this incentive, employees must work for a covered employer, be employed during the applicable license years, and be able to provide proof of payment for the applicable fees.
• Weekend Premium: This incentive will enable employees who work on eligible weekends to receive an $8.00 payment. The Manitoba government notes that this premium will begin on November 18, 2022, and adds that this incentive will continue until a collective agreement is approved.

Note: The incentives above represent just three of the more than 10 benefits available to participants in this Manitoba-based program. Click here for full program details.

Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)

Through a variety of different programs, NL provides a variety of health care industry workers with incentives ranging from signing bonuses to financial assistance for those opening their own family practices across the province. . Another example is the Come Home Initiative.

This initiative is for those, among other groups, who have been educated in NL, who have done residence in the province, who have been trained in NL or who have practiced medicine throughout the province. The province offers a variety of financial incentives for those willing to return to Newfoundland and Labrador through a “return-to-service” agreement.

In other words, for those with past ties to the province who are willing to commit to return to NL and train for three or five years, the province will offer various financial incentives based on their work experience. exclusive. Some examples of this motivation include:

• $100,000 for a five-year return to service agreement (Physicians)
• $60,000 for a three-year return-to-service agreement (Nurses)
• $50,000 or a three-year return to service agreement
  • Registered nurse
  • Licensed Practical Nurse
  • Primary Care Paramedic
  • Clinical Specialist

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Come Home Incentive is also available for those with no prior connection to the province. However, the financial incentive is different for those with a connection to NL. More information about these incentives, and the incentive program in general, can be found here.

Prince Edward Island (PEI)

The PEI Government recently increased their Allied Health Professional Recruitment Incentive.

This incentive, available to qualified health professionals in 11 occupations, provides eligible individuals with up to $10,000 if they commit to a return to service agreement of 1,950 hours of work (or equivalent of one year). Eligible jobs include:

• Medical Library Technologists (MLTs)
• Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs)
• Specialists in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology.
• Respiratory Therapists (RTs)
• Sonographers
• Civil Servants
• Pharmacy Professionals
• Pharmacists
• Physiotherapists
• Professionals
• Dental hygiene

A July 10 announcement from the PEI Government notes that candidates who meet the following criteria may be eligible:

• Become a new candidate for PEI staff
• I have not worked for Health PEI (or another PEI-based employer, whether in the public or private sector) within the past two years.
• I haven’t gotten any inspiration yet

Click here for more information.

Saskatchewan (SK)

The province of Saskatchewan offers many incentives for students and professionals in the health care industry. Another example is the Graduate Retention Program (GRP).

GRP offers a $20,000 rebate incentive for eligible students who live and file a tax return in SK. Full details are available from the SK Government here.

Eligibility for GRP

To be eligible for this incentive, candidates must:

• They have graduated from an accredited post-secondary program
  • An approved program must: be equivalent to at least six months of full-time study at an eligible institution; result in a certificate, diploma, or undergraduate degree or provide a journeyman certificate
• He applied to GRP within seven years of graduation
  • Note: 2018 students have until April 30, 2025, to apply
• You already live in or are moving to Saskatchewan

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