The federal government is ramping up efforts to help internationally trained professionals enter the workforce, setting a new target to support about 32,000 newcomers through 58 agreements in 2026–27.
Employment and Social Development Canada says the expanded Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) program will focus heavily on high-demand sectors like healthcare and construction, where labour shortages remain acute.
The agreements will fund partnerships with provinces, regulators, and industry bodies to speed up credential assessments, provide job readiness support, and offer financial assistance. FCR loans of up to $30,000 will help cover licensing, exams, and training costs for newcomers.
Ottawa is also committing $97 million over five years to a new FCR Action Fund aimed at improving fairness, transparency, and efficiency in how foreign credentials are recognized across Canada.
In collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the initiative is part of a broader push to remove barriers that prevent skilled immigrants from working in their fields.
While licensing remains largely under provincial control, the federal government says stronger coordination and funding will help make the system faster and more consistent — a key step in addressing workforce shortages and improving newcomer integration.