FOR RELEASE #06-175
July 27, 2006
IMMIGRATION PROGRAM INCREASES NUMBER OF DOCTORS IN YUKON
WHITEHORSE - The Yukon government is pleased to announce the successful recruitment of two medical doctors to the Yukon medical community, thanks to a program designed to fast-track the immigration of skilled professionals.
"The Yukon Nominee Program was developed by the government to fill labour market shortages that cannot be reasonably met through local training or recruitment," Health and Social Services Minister Brad Cathers said.
Cathers said he was pleased to welcome the two new physicians to the territory.
"This will certainly help bolster the ranks of Yukon physicians and address concerns of government, the local physician community and residents that individuals will have access to physicians when they need them. The Department of Health and Social Services will continue to address the shortage in health professionals through the Health Human Resources Strategy," Cathers added.
Under the Yukon Nominee Program, which is administered by the Department of Education, a committee comprised of Yukon government and industry representatives reviews immigration applications from skilled workers. If the Yukon Nominee Program committee approves an application, it is then recommended for an expedited Canadian Immigration process.
"We are working with Yukon employers and industry organizations to identify skill shortages," Brent Slobodin, Assistant Deputy Minister of Advanced Education, said. “The Yukon government worked with the Yukon Medical Association to identify and facilitate the immigration of the new doctors to the Yukon,” he said.
"Thanks to the Yukon Nominee Program, our medical community has grown by two doctors," Yukon Medical Association President Dr. Rao Tadepalli said. "This will help us to better meet the health needs of Yukoners. While we still face a shortage of skilled medical practitioners in the territory, the Yukon Nominee Program is a step in the right direction," Tadepalli said.
The two new physicians will be working under special licences, supervised by a local physician. Only individuals working in occupations identified through the Yukon Nominee Program will be eligible to apply for expedited immigration. All applicants must meet Canadian Immigration requirements and must hold the necessary certification or accreditation that allows them to practice in Canada.
Since 2004, Consumer and Safety Services, the branch responsible for issuing licences, has awarded special licences to 18 new physicians.
For more information on the Yukon Nominee Program, please call the Department of Education at 667-8751.
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Contact:
Peter Carr
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Pat Living |
