B.C. Attracts Surge of U.S. Healthcare Professionals

News Summary

British Columbia’s healthcare system has seen a significant rise in job applications from U.S. healthcare professionals, aiming to address ongoing staffing shortages. A recent campaign has attracted nearly 780 applications within two months, with over 2,250 professionals expressing interest in relocating. The province has streamlined licensing for foreign-trained doctors, contributing to the response. This recruitment drive is part of a wider initiative to ensure adequate healthcare services amidst a growing demand.

Victoria, British Columbia – British Columbia’s health-care system has received a surge of nearly 780 job applications from health care professionals based in the United States in just two months. This initiative is part of the province’s broader strategy to combat ongoing staffing shortages that have affected health services across the region.

Interior Health, one of the province’s health authorities, received the most applications, totaling 181 from the collective 780. The accelerated recruitment campaign was initiated in June 2025, targeting health care professionals in specific U.S. states, including Washington, Oregon, and selected cities in California.

Since the campaign’s rollout in March 2025, over 2,250 health professionals have expressed their interest in relocating to British Columbia. The breakdown of applicants includes 827 physicians, 851 nurses, 254 nurse practitioners, and 256 allied health workers. This influx of applications highlights the critical need for staff within the healthcare system as B.C. continues to face significant demand for healthcare services.

Policy Changes to Facilitate Licensing

The recruitment efforts have been bolstered by recent changes to licensing procedures for foreign-trained doctors. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. (CPSBC) approved amendments to its bylaws on July 7, 2025. These changes allow U.S.-trained doctors, certified by recognized boards, to gain full licensure in British Columbia without undergoing further assessments, exams, or training—speeding up the process to just a few weeks.

Additionally, the new regulations exempt foreign-trained doctors from needing the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada, resulting in a cost savings of around $1,500. In the first week following the bylaw changes, CPSBC received 29 new registration applications from U.S.-based doctors, indicating a strong immediate response to the revised policy.

Broader Application Trends Across B.C.

The recruitment campaign has seen applications from all health regions in the province. The regional breakdown is as follows: Fraser Health received 154 applications, Vancouver Coastal Health had 121, Island Health gathered 112, Providence Health Care saw 70, Provincial Health Services Authority collected 66, and Northern Health received 63 applications.

The provincial government is promoting these recruitment efforts as part of a coordinated “Team B.C.” approach, which involves collaboration with various health authorities and professional colleges. This strategy reflects similar policy shifts in other Canadian provinces such as Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, where the focus is on recognizing international credentials to meet local health care workforce demands.

Addressing the Health Care Crisis

Health Minister Josie Osborne has highlighted the vital importance of attracting qualified healthcare workers to strengthen the health care system in British Columbia. Currently, there is an urgent demand for healthcare services, with approximately 300,000 residents in the province still lacking a family doctor. This shortage has contributed to an increasing number of hospital closures across the region.

The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives has also simplified the qualification transfer process for nurses, resulting in the registration of 320 nurses since the changes were implemented. This initiative complements the broader recruitment campaign aimed at alleviating staffing shortages throughout the health care system.

As British Columbia seeks to enhance its healthcare workforce, the early success of the recruitment drive illustrates both a commitment to resolving significant staffing issues and an evolving stance on attracting and integrating skilled health professionals from abroad.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

British Columbia’s Healthcare Recruitment Campaign Sees Success

Additional Resources

• Victoria Buzz
• Abbotsford News
• HR Consultant Magazine
• The Globe and Mail
• Wikipedia: Healthcare in Canada