The Alberta government is attempting to prevent future healthcare worker shortages by establishing an agreement with the Filipino government to make the province a preferred destination for inbound nurses. .“I think every Albertan knows probably several Albertans of Filipino origin who have been working in our healthcare sector,” said Alberta Premier Jason Kenney at a Thursday press conference. .“We are so grateful for the passion and work ethic they’ve brought to this country.” .Kenney spoke about how he's proud one of his legacies as Immigration minister was to have the Philippines turn into one of Canada’s top sources for immigrants. He said he wants Alberta to become “a destination of choice amongst highly-trained, well-educated Filipino nurses.” .Many Filipino immigrants experience troubles having their credentials recognized to enable them to work at their skill level. Kenney said bridging programs, such as the one for nurses at Mount Royal University where immigrants can speed up credential recognition, work. .He said the agreement will grant Filipino nurses “access to navigating our complex regulatory system, streamlined assessment and licensing programs, greater access to bridging seats and clinical placements, a bursary program to help with costs associated with credentialing, and there will be options to establish further partnerships.”.One of the future partnerships will be an Alberta-accredited nursing program in the Philippines. .Kenney said the partnership will open Alberta to agreements with other countries that are top sources of immigration. He added he will be directing more money to bridging programs such as the one at MRU. .There can be long waitlists for bridging programs. He said this funding will clear backlogs. .Kenney went on to say this agreement coincides with the collective bargaining agreements the Alberta government made with healthcare workers. He said all the work Alberta has done with healthcare “represent important progress, but more needs to be done.” .Former Alberta Finance minister Travis Toews announced in January Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) ratified a collective agreement, which saw a 4.25% pay raise for nurses. .READ MORE: New collective agreement secures Alberta nurses as highest paid in Canada.UNA said the new collective agreement involves more than 30,000 registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, represented by 130 UNA locals. The pay raise, which will be spread out over four years, will keep Alberta nurses among the highest paid in Canada..“I am pleased to hear that registered nurses have voted to accept the mediator’s recommendation,” said Toews. .Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping said the ministry will be spending $500,000 this year to create a program to guide international nurses through the licensing process. .“We’ll develop a one-stop online platform that will make it easier to find information on where to go to be licensed, links to regulatory colleges, bridging programs like this one here at MRU, and actual support and resources,” said Copping. .“As part of that program, we are creating new roles for nurse navigators to help internationally-trained nurses through the process both here in Alberta and in countries where the candidates are coming from.” .Copping said the nurse navigators will provide people with human connections. He alleged the province is recruiting people as fast as AHS can hire them..Kenney said he's happy Alberta is the first province in Canada to sign such an agreement. .“Like usual, Alberta is leading Canada,” he said.
