Last week's federal budget announced an extra $50 million to improve the process of recognizing internationally-obtained education and work experience,so that newcomers to Canada can access jobs in their fields of specialization more quickly.

$50 million over the next two years tops up the $73 million allocated in 2003-2004 for the Foreign Credential Recognition Program. Along with the Canadian Foreign Credential Referral Office (FCRO), established in June 2007, progress has been made on foreign credential assessment in recent years.

The increased funding will go towards the development of a common framework across Canadian provinces and territories for the assessment of foreign credentials. This is part of Canada's plans toincrease labour mobility throughout the country. Provincial and territorial labour ministers plan to have this framework prepared by September 2009.