The Alberta government has taken a significant step towards addressing the persistent labour shortages in the health care sector by expanding its Dedicated Health Care Pathway through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program. The program aims to recruit and retain experienced international health care professionals, particularly in smaller municipalities across the province, ensuring that Albertans have access to timely and quality care, regardless of their location.
Launched in April 2023, the Dedicated Health Care Pathway has quickly gained traction as a critical component of Alberta’s strategy to strengthen its health care system. The program is designed to attract international health care workers who have received authorization to practice in Alberta and hold job offers in the province’s health care sector. Once the professionals are nominated under the provincial program, they can then apply for permanent residency through the federal government’s immigration process.
In 2023, the pathway facilitated the nomination of 122 health care professionals, with 59 of these professionals destined for communities outside Calgary and Edmonton. This included 19 physicians and 25 registered nurses who were placed in smaller municipalities, where their expertise was urgently needed.
In 2024, the program has continued to grow, with 258 health care professionals nominated as of July. Notably, 93 of these individuals are set to work in areas outside the province’s two largest cities, with 14 physicians and 61 registered nurses among them. The increased numbers highlight the program’s growing influence in bolstering health care services across Alberta, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Alberta government has emphasized that strengthening the province’s health care system remains a top priority. By actively recruiting experienced international health care professionals, the province is not only addressing current labour shortages but also planning for the future needs of its residents.
To be eligible for the Dedicated Health Care Pathway, applicants must have received authorization to practice in Alberta from the relevant regulatory college and possess a job offer within the province’s health care sector. The program is open to nine professions, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and psychologists, providing a broad range of expertise to bolster Alberta’s health services.
Once nominated, the pathway guides these professionals through the application process for permanent residence, providing them with a clear route to establish their careers and lives in Alberta. The program’s focus on smaller municipalities ensures that these communities, often underserved, benefit from the influx of skilled health care workers.
In the midst of ongoing debates surrounding immigration, the importance of welcoming skilled professionals, particularly in critical sectors like health care, cannot be overstated. Supporters may acknowledge the program’s role in filling urgent gaps in the health care system, particularly in rural areas, and recognize the value of skilled immigration in boosting provincial services. However, critics might argue that relying on immigration to solve workforce issues could divert attention from addressing underlying systemic problems, such as the need for better training and retention of domestic workers. The debates are expected to intensify as the conversation around immigration and its role in shaping Alberta’s future continues to evolve.