Canada needs pan-Canadian licensing for doctors

Canada faces a physician shortage, with projections showing millions may lack access to family doctors by 2034. Currently, doctors must navigate complex licensing regulations to practice in different provinces, limiting their mobility despite identical training and qualifications. In October 2023, health ministers committed to improving labor mobility for healthcare professionals. The Atlantic provinces introduced a multi-jurisdictional licensing system, but it is not recognized outside that region, leaving other provinces without similar agreements. Advocates argue that a pan-Canadian licensing system could enhance healthcare access and allow doctors to practice where needed. They emphasize that existing provincial regulations create unnecessary barriers, despite shared training standards across the country.