Minister Kenny Proposes to Assess Foreign Education Credentials BEFORE Skilled Workers Arrive

Canada is proposing new requirements to how foreign skilled workers’ education credentials are assessed. Citizenship, Immigration and multiculturalism Minister announced today that applicants wanting to immigrate as Federal Skilled Workers would have their foreign education credentials assessed and verified by designated organizations before they arrive in Canada.

“Our Government is building an immigration system that is focused on economic growth and ensuring that all Canadians, including immigrants, are able to contribute to their maximum capacity,” said Jason Kenney. ”

Personally I have mixed feelings on this proposal as this creates more red tape. The government resources should be focused on integrating the newly immigrated professionals by providing them with a clear path to obtain the required credentials to practice their same profession and contribute to Canadian economy at their full potential.

This assessment of international educational credentials  do not guarantee that they would become licensed to practice in a regulated occupation. Why isn’t the government working with the regulatory bodies to come up with a transition program to assist the Skilled Applicants such as Pharmacists and Nurses to take required courses and work experience in order to be certified. Instead they are adding more steps to the immigration process and not maximizing the economic impact of the highly skilled immigrants.