More U.S. physicians are looking for ways to practice medicine in Canada. Their deep-seeded motivation comes from an ideological disdain for the current state of healthcare in the United States. As concerns mount regarding political influences on patient care, Canadian provinces, particularly British Columbia and Manitoba, have launched initiatives to recruit American medical talent.
In an interview, Doctors Manitoba CEO Theresa Oswald said the response was overwhelming, with a surge in interest from American doctors. And she mentioned that all but one of the doctors she encounters are American-born. This highlights one big reality for the recruitment and talent acquisition landscape moving forward. “I would say, at the moment, just about every doctor that I’m talking to is from the U.S.,” Oswald said.
Doctors Manitoba has been front and centre in efforts to recruit more physicians from across the border. Oswald pointed to a large increase in the number of people asking about establishing a practice in Manitoba. Over thirty inquiries have already received— all generated by ads that highlight all the best things about the province.
Fortunately, the British Columbia government is taking serious steps to roll out the welcome mat to U.S. healthcare professionals. Josie Osborne, B.C.’s Minister of Health, set a strong foundation for the province by announcing a specific target. They are committed to breaking down barriers for American physicians seeking to practice in Canada. Our message to U.S. doctors and nurses is that the time to come to B.C. is now. We hope to see you in our beautiful home province where, collectively, we can make public Medicare stronger,” Osborne noted.
Overall, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. have launched a specific recruitment campaign focused on U.S. This campaign is aimed at recruiting medical personnel, enticing them to relocate to Canada’s coasts. This latest push is being fueled by dissatisfaction with various aspects of the U.S. healthcare system.
Michelle Flynn, COO of CanAm Physician Recruiting, had a big surprise to share. Calls from U.S.-based locations looking for investment or other opportunities in Canada increased by 33%. Flynn saw a sobering trend among his fellow physicians. They are more and more concerned about how to raise their children in an environment that is much more hostile and undeniably political. “They’re bringing up concerns about wanting to raise their children in a safer, kinder society,” she said.
The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) has seen a sharp increase in uptake by American medical grads. They’ve seen a phenomenal 583% spike in new account sign ups on their physiciansapply.ca. This increase is indicative of an overwhelming impatience among U.S. physicians, in search of a better practice environment.
Oswald pointed to the extreme political atmosphere in the U.S. today, particularly with attacks on abortion rights and gender-affirming healthcare. Consequently, thousands of physicians are already pursuing or taking advantage of opportunities north of the border. She described how “the push for U.S. doctors to come to Canada comes from a pattern they’ve seen before,” suggesting that historical trends often repeat themselves during times of political unrest.
Job opportunities are suddenly opening up to Canadians looking to work in the US. Simultaneously, the U.S. is pulling medical personnel from all over the world. Finally, Oswald closed by reiterating that the end game is serving the most basic needs of those looking for safety and security. This focus is key among Canada’s healthcare system.
With increasing candidate inquiries and an uptick in recruitment efforts, physicians like Flynn are conducting extensive interviews to connect U.S. doctors with potential positions in Canada. Flynn usually only does three candidate interviews a day. She accomplishes all of this three days a week, demonstrating the critical and immediate need for medical professionals.
“We have always worked with a lot of U.S. physicians wanting to come to Canada. However, there has been a very marked increase over the last several months.” – Michelle Flynn, COO of CanAm Physician Recruiting
As provinces scramble to capitalize on this surge of interest, they are crafting strategies to support incoming physicians and integrate them into the healthcare system effectively. That continued discussion among Canadian provinces and U.S. physicians appears to bode well for a healthcare future in which cross-border cooperation is supported.
