Immigration pathway bringing medical professionals to Alberta

By Heather Cameron
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On Aug. 8, the province of Alberta gave an update on the Dedicated Health Care Pathway and how this has been used to bring medical professionals to communities where they’re needed.

The program, which started in 2023 as part of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, works to bring international health-care professionals to Alberta in order to address labour shortages.

“I am proud of the incredible success of the Dedicated Health Care Pathway, and very pleased to see so many experienced health professionals going to areas outside of Calgary and Edmonton,” said Muhammad Yaseen, Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism. “With this program, we are increasing timely access to care for Albertans, no matter where they live.”

Since its launch, the Dedicated Health Care Pathway has successfully nominated 122 health-care professionals in 2023, and 258 in the first half of 2024.

More than 150 of these professionals are heading to communities outside Edmonton and Calgary.

The pathway helps professionals who have received authorization to practise in Alberta and have an Alberta job offer in the health-care sector attain permanent resident status. Nine professions are eligible under this pathway, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and psychologists.

“We are committed to recruiting and retaining health-care workers in Alberta by reducing barriers and improving opportunities for them. Through the Alberta Health Workforce Strategy, programs like the Dedicated Health Care Pathway provide solutions for those who come to work in health care in our province to stay and build a life here,” said Health Minister Adriana LaGrange. “We will continue to plan for the talent required to address Albertans’ existing and emerging health-care needs.”