More International Doctors Practising in Ontario
April 21, 2010 3:34 PM
McGuinty Government Helping International Medical Graduates get licensed to practise medicine
Ontario, over the last decade, has more than doubled the number of international medical graduates obtaining a license to practise medicine.
According to a report released yesterday by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), the number of practice certificates issued to international medical graduates (IMGs) in the past decade has increased 119 per cent. The number of certificates issued has risen from 5,013 in the 1990's to 10,982 certificates in the 2000's. The CPSO attributes this increase, in part, to more Ontario government-funded residency positions reserved for IMGs.
As part of the five-year Open Ontario plan to create new opportunities for jobs and growth, the province will continue to ensure that internationally-trained professionals, including IMGs, obtain the accreditation they need to contribute their valuable skills and talents to Ontario.
QUICK FACTS
- Last year 1,563 practice certificates were issued, representing the highest number of practice certificates issued since 1985. International medical graduates accounted for 39 per cent of those licences.
- IMGs received their medical degrees from 105 different countries.
CONTACTS
- Indira Naidoo-Harris
Minister's Office
416-325-6205
- Michel Payen-Dumont
Communications Branch
416-314-7010
ontario.ca/citizenship
"This is very good news for internationally trained doctors seeking to practise in Ontario, and it is good news for the province. As a medical doctor myself, I am pleased to learn that more qualified colleagues who invested years in study and hard work outside of Canada are now able to practise in Ontario. I look forward to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and other regulatory bodies continuing their work with the Ontario Fairness Commissioner to bring forward even greater results in the years to come."
– Dr. Eric Hoskins
Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
"The hard work and determination of Ontario's international medical graduates will be a lasting benefit to the entire health-care system"
– Deb Matthews
Minister of Health and Long Term Care
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