The health system and international recruitment

Labour mobility is a characteristic of the first decade of the 21st century. Individuals, employers, regulators and governments are all involved. In Canada, these efforts are framed by the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. The framework describes processes to support international labour mobility. It defines benchmarks and service standards related to the recruitment of internationally educated individuals. The framework acknowledges and addresses barriers faced by immigrants to Canada. International labour mobility is one of the strategies being used in the health sector to respond to demands for health services. Various programs and actions have been put in place in the health sector to facilitate international recruitment; these programs and actions are the focus of this paper.