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The Canadian province of Saskatchewan introduced new legislation on March 30, 2023, to include newly licensed professions for Physician Assistants to practice in the province.
The introduced Medical Professional Amendment Act, 2023 supports the $1.3 million investment in the 2023-24 Budget to create 12 Physician Assistant positions across the healthcare system for the first time.
This initiative is part of a nearly $100 million investment by the Government of Saskatchewan to support the Health Human Resource Action Plan and continue to recruit, train, incentivize, and retain more nurses, doctors, laboratory technicians, and other healthcare workers.
The legislation will come into force upon proclamation.
Read more on how Self-Employed Physicians Can Apply For Canada PR Through Express Entry.
Who are Physician Assistants in Canada?
According to the Ministry of Health, Physician Assistants (PAs) are health professionals who have taken additional advanced training at one of the recognized programs in Canada. They practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician, often within a multidisciplinary health team.
Physician assistants have been licensed to work in Ontario and Manitoba, and they could work in Saskatchewan but were not regulated. With the new provincial legislation, Saskatchewan may also assume the power to regulate Physician assistants under the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan.
“This is a vital step in effectively introducing PAs into the province at a critical time when the healthcare system has been stretched to the limit,” remarked Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA) Saskatchewan director Todd Bryden.
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Impact on Canadian Immigration
The new legislation is yet formalize into an official act and it is premature to conclude any evidence of impact on Canadian immigration.
However, the provincial Health Minister Paul Merriman said, “We are making key investments in 2023-24 to recruit, train, incentivize and retain more health care workers, including physicians, nurses, and other health professionals.”
The increase in demand for healthcare professions in Canada, especially Saskatchewan in 2023-24 will most likely be fulfilled through immigration.
Also, learn more >> How To Migrate to Canada as a Registered Nurse?
If you’re a healthcare worker outside Canada with three or more years of experience, consider this new opportunity. You can determine your eligibility for immigration through our free assessment online.
You may also book one-to-one counseling with our immigration experts to learn more about your chances of Canadian immigration.
