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PEI makes it easier for IMGs to practice in Canada

In a strategic move to address the persistent shortage of healthcare professionals in Canada, the Government of Prince Edward Island (PEI), in partnership with McMaster University, has launched the PEI-McMaster Collaborative Hospitalist Fellowship. This groundbreaking initiative aims to support internationally trained medical graduates (IMGs) in their journey to becoming licensed physicians in Canada, particularly within PEI.

As the nation grapples with an aging population and increasing demand for healthcare services, this program is poised to make a significant impact not only on local health outcomes but also on national immigration and licensing policies. The fellowship is emblematic of Canada’s shifting strategy: recruiting talent from abroad while dismantling institutional barriers that previously limited international professionals' ability to contribute meaningfully.

The PEI-McMaster Collaborative Hospitalist Fellowship is a one-year internal medicine training program specifically designed for IMGs. Its core objectives are:

• Offer a direct path to licensure for those committed to practising in Prince Edward Island post-training.
• Provide clinical training aligned with Canadian healthcare standards, ensuring IMGs can integrate seamlessly into local hospital systems.

To be eligible, candidates must hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status and meet standards set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of PEI. Priority will be given to those eligible to sit for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s Internal Medicine Exam through the Practice Eligibility Route (PER), a route designed for physicians with experience but without Canadian training.

Twelve of the thirteen training blocks will be conducted at McMaster University in Ontario, known for its innovative and globally recognized medical education programs. The final block will take place in PEI, ensuring trainees gain exposure to the province’s unique healthcare environment.

PEI’s Minister of Health and Wellness, Mark McLane, highlighted the transformative nature of the initiative in a press statement: “By collaborating with McMaster University and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Prince Edward Island, this initiative helps international physicians integrate into the Canadian health system while giving PEI a boost in our workforce.”

The fellowship is funded by Health PEI, the province’s health authority, with the intent of retaining skilled hospitalists who can provide consistent care in internal medicine departments, an area of growing demand in the province.

While Canada actively recruits foreign medical talent through immigration, many IMGs face many licensing barriers once they arrive. Traditionally, becoming a licensed physician in Canada requires:

• Graduation from a recognised medical school.
• Completion of a Canadian residency

However, only about 10% of residency positions in most provinces are allocated to IMGs, creating a bottleneck that excludes thousands of capable professionals each year.

Programs like the PEI-McMaster fellowship offer an alternative route, circumventing the shortage of residency slots and focusing instead on specialised, practice-ready training. Such initiatives are increasingly viewed as essential in a system that must grow and adapt.

Efforts of the IRCC

The fellowship is part of a broader national effort to leverage immigration policy to fill critical healthcare vacancies. In recent years, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and several provinces have rolled out measures to facilitate the entry and licensing of healthcare workers, including:

• Expanded occupational categories in 2025 to include therapists, social workers, and other care providers.
• Category-based Express Entry draws in 2023, prioritising healthcare professionals.
• A temporary public policy allowing self-employed physicians to count their work experience toward PR eligibility.
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) reforms in Ontario and other provinces to include self-employment and remote experience in healthcare as qualifying criteria.
• PEI, along with British Columbia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, has adopted occupation-specific immigration pathways focused on retaining health professionals.

These efforts represent a systemic shift from passive immigration to proactive talent integration, acknowledging the global competition for skilled health workers.

Are you an internationally trained physician interested in Canada?

Explore your eligibility and discover more IMG pathways by connecting with provincial health authorities or booking a consultation with us today!!

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, at +1 778 239 7861 or +1 647 453 7660 with RCIC # R413239, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need.