Ontario programs to help foreign-trained professionals work in their chosen fields are "some of the most successful work we do," the province's immigration minister says.
In an interview after his Liberal government announced a package of bridging programs totalling nearly $30 million, Dr. Eric Hoskins said Ontario, where almost half of newcomers to Canada first settle, has helped 40,000 get licensed and find jobs in their fields since 2003.
Last week, however, Parkdale-High Park MPP Cheri DiNovo, the New Democrat immigration critic, called the government's efforts "way too little, way too late."
Though 70 per cent of emigrants to Ontario have post-secondary training, that has not lessened the poverty many live in, she said. Past generations would get ahead in Canada, DiNovo added, but for this group, "it's proven it's not happening."
DiNovo said she met a surgeon from Iran, who told her it would take him 10 years to qualify to practice in Ontario.
He does not have the years or the necessary money, so he flies to Iran six months a year to work, she said. "Meanwhile, we have a half-million Ontarians without a family doctor."
Hoskins said though "many, many individuals continue to face great challenges" and much work remains to remove barriers newcomer professionals face "there are clear improvements being made."
In his cabinet post since January, the rookie MPP for St. Paul's has a medical practice exclusive to immigrants and refugees.
"Being a doctor, I know there are few things more frustrating than not being able to practice your profession of healing," he said, but added bridging programs, which include things like mentoring and job-specific language training, and residency placements for foreign doctors have increased.
More than 200 internationally trained medical doctors were granted an Ontario license last year, Hoskins said. "That's the equivalent of an entire medical school."
In 2006, Ontario was first in Canada to pass legislation requiring regulated professions to show impartiality and timeliness in licensing foreign-trained newcomers. Each profession must report to the province annually and will be audited every three years.
DiNovo said some regulatory bodies for professions are embracing changes faster than some others, which "are definitely dragging their feet."
Hoskin said Ontario companies that prize Canadian work experience should see there's value in non-Canadian experience as well. They can view potential immigrant employees as a strength, a way to access a world market, he said. "Some of the bigger companies have figured this out."
The province is working on a five-year immigration agreement with Ottawa.
Hoskins said the province, if given more responsibility for delivering settlement services can eliminate local "gaps" in federal programs.
"It's Ontario's position it's time for a new partnership," he said.