IRCC has invited 500 healthcare workers under the new Express Entry category-based selection draws. Candidates required a minimum comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score of 476.
This is the very first category-based selection draw since the six new categories were announced on May 31. A second round, inviting 1,500 healthcare workers to apply, will take place on July 5.
A draw inviting eligible candidates from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions is also expected to occur in the same week.
Healthcare worker shortage in Canada
Healthcare is one of the sectors experiencing a critical shortage of workers. This is in part because Canada has one of the lowest birth rates globally and an aging population. For example, it is estimated that nine million Canadians will reach retirement age, 65, within the next seven years.
An older population will create more demand on the healthcare system. Canada needs immigrants to make up for the shortfall of younger Canadians and fill these critical positions
Recent job vacancy data from Statistics Canada shows that there were 144,500 vacant positions within the healthcare and social assistance sector as of March 2023, or 17.7% of all unfilled positions.
Several provinces and territories already hold draws for healthcare professionals through targeted streams of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). For example, Alberta recently launched a Designated Healthcare Pathway, under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, British Columbia invites healthcare professionals in nearly every BC PNP draw and Ontario recently invited 318 foreign workers in a healthcare occupation.
