The Government of Canada is acting to help immigrants work in their chosen fields in Canada. In order to overcome the delays and difficulties of getting foreign credentials recognized in Canada, a new government office will provide services to newcomers to assist in navigating the credential recognition process.

The Foreign Credential Referral Office is a new project that will help immigrants begin the process of getting their credentials recognized before they arrive in Canada, preventing time from being wasted on arrival. With federal government funding the agency has already opened branches in Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Halifax, with plans to increase to 320 offices across the country by the fall of 2007. The agency also has a presence overseas to serve individuals in the immigration process and to encourage people to come to Canada. Offices have been opened in China, India and the Philippines, with plans to expand if the project is successful.

Alongside the new offices throughout Canada and internationally, the Foreign Credential Referral Office will have a strong internet presence. The new web portal at www.credentials.gc.ca provides information and advice for foreign-trained professionals seeking a variety of career paths. The website will point individuals towards the appropriate universities, colleges and regulatory bodies to have their credentials assessed, and provide advice for completing the process quickly and successfully to work in Canada.

The federal initiative comes on the heels of moves by the province of Ontario earlier this year to improve credential recognition in the province. The Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, which became law in March of this year targets occupations moderated by professional organizations, such as engineering or chartered accountancy, in order to improve fair treatment of foreign-trained individuals. Among other initiatives, the law created a new ombudsman’s office who will speak up for foreign-trained individuals. Ontario receives approximately 60% of immigrants to Canada.