The Role of Governments in Advancing Foreign Credential Recognition

1. The Role of Governments in Advancing Foreign Credential Recognition Metropolis Conference March 2014

2. Internationally trained individuals are importantto Canada’s economy • Canada is facing long-term labour market challenges, particularly in the skilled trades, including: • an aging population and low population growth rate; • higher skills and education required to meet labour market needs; and • regional and industry-specific labour and skills shortages. • Immigration inflow is a crucial source of population growth and is an important source of skilled labour in Canada. • Internationally trained individuals (ITIs) make a significant contribution to an innovative and highly productive economy when matched to jobs commensurate with their skills and experience. • ITI’s are facing labour market integration barriers such as: • Gaps in technical knowledge, understanding of Canadian business practices, soft work skills and essential skills. • Lack of information about licensure process and labour market demand • Lack of Canadian work experience and low official language skills • - British Columbia’s Foreign Qualifications Recognition Review

3. F-P/T governments are working to advance FCR • FCR is a provincial and territorial responsibility further delegated to regulators. P/T governments have undertaken significant measures to improve FCR in their jurisdictions through strategic investments, the establishment of Fairness Commissioners (MB, QC, NS, ON) and through immigration and FCR strategies. • The federal government has a leadership role and works closely with P/T governments and regulators to improve FCR through the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications (or Framework) through the Forum of Labour Market Ministers. • With support from the Government of Canada, the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship is working to streamline and make more consistent the FCR processes in the Red Seal trades. • Three federal departments, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Health Canada (HC) each play a key role to address FCR challenges.

4. F-P/T supports improved international qualifications recognition • The FQR Framework was established in 2009, and lays out First Ministers’ vision for FCR and has driven work for the fourteen target occupations. • A Foreign Qualification Recognition Working Group (currently co-chaired by MB and ESDC) coordinates efforts across the country. Framework Target Occupations First Set • Architects • Engineers • Financial Auditors & Accountants • Medical Laboratory Technologists • Occupational Therapists • Pharmacists • Physiotherapists • Registered Nurses • Second Set • Dentists • Engineer Technicians • Licensed Practical Nurses • Medical Radiation Technologists • Physicians • Teachers (K-12)

5. Provincialinitiatives and investments • Comprehensive provincial strategies on FQR to improve coordination and accountability (BC, AB, NS, MB). • Fair Registration Practice Legislation - Provincial Fairness Commissioners: continue work to improve registration practices and monitor outcomes for internationally educated professionals • Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia • Québec Commissaire aux plaintes • Provincial initiatives • Atlantic Connection: IEHP coordination – SARTS (self-assessment readiness tools) • NS – Multi stakeholder coordination • ON – Extensive bridge programs • SK – piloting trades initiatives • BC – review and targeted investments • NB – Alternative Careers Transition Centre

6. Government investments in targeted occupations can be tracked across the Pathway to Recognition • Government efforts aim to streamline each step of the Framework’s Pathway to Recognition in Canada. Key areas of investment to date are the development of national systems and harmonized standards – which increasingly allow ITIs to access FCR services prior to arrival in Canada. Examples include: • Pre-Arrival Tools: e.g. Medical Radiation Technologists. Creation of an online exam preparation package to increase internationally trained medical radiation technologists' pass rates on the national certification exam. • National Systems: e.g. Dentists. All internationally trained dentists can now complete pan-Canadian equivalency exams within a year for about $7,000, rather than schooling. • Harmonized Standards: e.g. Accountants. CAs, CGAs and CMAs are working together to develop common practice standards including a flexible bridging programs for internationally trained accountants. • FCR Investments complement the work on the implementation of Chapter 7 (labour mobility) of the Agreement on Internal Trade. Similar to FCR, labour mobility benefits from national and harmonized standards allowing Canadians, including immigrants, to access working opportunities across the country.

7. FCR Loans: Supporting ITIs through community partnerships • The Government of Canada launched the FCR Loans pilot in 2012 and funds community-based partners to deliver loans to ITIs and support them through the FCR process. • FCR Loans partnerships involve local NGOs and financial institutions – often in collaboration with P/T governments, educational institutions, regulatory bodies and other key stakeholders. • This pilot is testing ways to help ITIs cover costs associated with the FCR process (e.g. exams, licensing fees, short-term, targeted bridge training) and will determine the future role for governments in this area. • As of December 31, 2013, over 1200 loans have been approved across the country. 4

8. Future directions to advance FCR Key areas of interest for governments moving forward include: • Implementing the Framework to advance work on current and new target occupations. • Aligning FCR with changes to the immigration system with a greater focus on labour market needs and pre-arrival tools initiated overseas (includes designating professional bodies to conduct educational assessment for immigration selection purposes). • Engaging employers to better understand their challenges, workforce planning strategies, recruitment and retention practices; and continue developing tools and initiatives to address their issues. • Working with key stakeholders to better understand existing tools and gaps to guide future directions (e.g. public opinion research, workshops on national FCR processes, mutual recognition agreements, and alternative careers, following-up on studies regarding the labour market integration of ITIs). • Monitoring and evaluation of targeted initiatives and work to date to help determine an appropriate government role going forward.

9. Questions for discussion • Government support for ITIs has focussed heavily on improving FCR processes in regulated occupations. As governments look to the future, what areas require focus? • Continued efforts with regulated occupations? • Skilled trades? • Alternative careers? (regulated and non-regulated occupations? • Adjust pre-arrival requirements to inform/manage expectations overseas? • How can governments work better with key stakeholders including employers? • Is there an expanded role for governments to support ITIs to integrate into the labour market?