Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. to remove barriers for internationally trained professionals: premier

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Oct, 2023 12:09 PM
  • B.C. to remove barriers for internationally trained professionals: premier

The British Columbia government has introduced legislation that is expected to add skilled workers into the labour force more quickly by reducing barriers for internationally trained professionals. 

Premier David Eby says B.C. cannot leave people with skills and experience on the sidelines, given labour shortages the province is facing now and in the coming years.

He says the legislation would require regulatory bodies to remove "unfair barriers" for 29 different professions, including veterinarians, lawyers, teachers, paramedics, early childhood educators, architects, natural resource professionals and others.

Eby says the act introduced in the legislature today builds on work the B.C. government has been doing to support internationally trained health-care workers.

Andrew Mercier, the minister of state for workforce development, says international professionals face unnecessary barriers, such as redundant language testing and a "catch-22" requirement for work experience in Canada prior to getting accreditation.

He says the new law would remove those requirements and enhance transparency by mandating regulators to share details on their assessment processes.

If passed, Mercier says the legislation would also create a new superintendent responsible for promoting fair credential recognition and enforcing compliance.

The act would be set to take effect next summer.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada to airlift citizens, permanent residents out of Israel in 'coming days': Joly

Canada to airlift citizens, permanent residents out of Israel in 'coming days': Joly
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed Tuesday that Ottawa is planning to airlift Canadians out of Tel Aviv in "the coming days," as conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates. Joly said the government aims to conduct the evacuation using aircraft from the Canadian Armed Forces, and it is working on additional options for people who are unable to reach the airport in Tel Aviv.

Canada to airlift citizens, permanent residents out of Israel in 'coming days': Joly

Nursing seats now open at KPU

Nursing seats now open at KPU
115 new nursing seats are now open to students at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, increasing the program size by nearly 50 per cent. A new nursing lab and technology upgrades are now complete at the Langley campus.

Nursing seats now open at KPU

'Freedom Convoy' trial evidence a Rorschach test for attitudes about protest: expert

'Freedom Convoy' trial evidence a Rorschach test for attitudes about protest: expert
The evidence put forward by the Crown and defence in the criminal trial of two prominent "Freedom Convoy" organizers is so similar, it reflects something of a Rorschach test for how people feel about the massive protest, said criminologist Michael Kempa. The trial is set to reconvene Wednesday after a two and a half week break, and has so far focused largely on the social media posts of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber.

'Freedom Convoy' trial evidence a Rorschach test for attitudes about protest: expert

Canada limited in preventing wider Mideast crisis, amid humanitarian plight: experts

Canada limited in preventing wider Mideast crisis, amid humanitarian plight: experts
Experts say Canada has limited options as it works diplomatic channels to try preventing clashes in Israel and Palestinian territories from escalating into a wider, regional war. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says she's in touch with counterparts in the region, as the fallout from Hamas's brazen surprise attacks on Israel Saturday threatens to engulf multiple countries.   

Canada limited in preventing wider Mideast crisis, amid humanitarian plight: experts

Burnout, despair facing workers on front lines of poverty and homelessness in Canada

Burnout, despair facing workers on front lines of poverty and homelessness in Canada
Those who work with people facing homelessness and food shortages say employees are carrying a massive emotional burden as demand for services soars beyond what their organizations can provide. Warren Maddox, executive director at Fredericton Homeless Shelters, in New Brunswick, says staff are witnessing more desperation, more violence and more people in extreme states of crisis.

Burnout, despair facing workers on front lines of poverty and homelessness in Canada

B.C. first province to sign individual health deal with feds, worth $1.2 billion

B.C. first province to sign individual health deal with feds, worth $1.2 billion
British Columbia is the first province to sign a tailored funding agreement with the federal government as part of the $196-billion health accord the prime minister offered provinces earlier this year. The deal will see Ottawa shift $1.2 billion to B.C. over three years.

B.C. first province to sign individual health deal with feds, worth $1.2 billion