From Crisis to Solutions: How Canada Can Strengthen Its Healthcare Workforce
May 21, 2026 – Canada’s healthcare system is under growing strain, with long wait times, staffing shortages, and burnout continuing to impact workers and patients across the country. But during a recent Future Skills Centre webinar, healthcare leaders shared a more hopeful message: there are practical, innovative solutions already making a difference.
The conversation brought together experts from across the healthcare, education, and workforce sectors to explore how Canada can better support healthcare workers while improving access to care. Speakers discussed everything from faster credential recognition for internationally educated professionals to new approaches in training, simulation, artificial intelligence (AI), and workforce planning.
Opening the webinar, Dr. Wendy Cukier spoke about the broad pressures facing the healthcare system, from emergency room delays to challenges in long-term and home care. She highlighted the need for more flexible and modern approaches to healthcare training, including modular learning, online education, and work-integrated learning opportunities that can help workers upskill more quickly and efficiently.
Cukier also pointed to the growing role of AI and digital tools in healthcare, noting that while Canada is a leader in developing new technologies, adoption within the healthcare system has been much slower. From AI-supported diagnostics to virtual assistants and simulation-based education, she emphasized the opportunity to use technology to improve care while reducing pressure on healthcare workers.
Supporting Internationally Educated Healthcare Workers
A major focus of the discussion was the experience of internationally educated healthcare professionals already living in Canada. John Klein described how many internationally trained nurses face long, confusing, and expensive licensing pathways despite years of experience and qualifications. Through SEIU Healthcare’s IEN Career Pathway program, workers receive personalized supports to help them navigate credentialing, training, and employment opportunities.
Suhayl Patel shared how Bow Valley College is supporting internationally educated nurses transition into the workforce through competency-based training and simulation learning. He noted that while expedited licensing processes are helping more nurses become qualified, employers still need support preparing workers for the realities of the Canadian healthcare environment.
A System-Wide Challenge
The discussion also explored the importance of retention, workplace culture, and collaboration across the system. Dr. Deborah Cohen of Health Workforce Canada described the healthcare workforce crisis as a challenge no single organization can solve alone. She emphasized the need for governments, employers, educators, regulators, and healthcare organizations to work together on long-term solutions grounded in good data, trust, and collaboration.
Collaboration and Innovation Key to the Future
Speakers highlighted promising examples from provinces including Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Alberta, where efforts are underway to streamline licensing, improve workplace supports, and better integrate internationally educated healthcare workers into the system.
Throughout the webinar, one message came through clearly: Canada has talented healthcare workers ready to contribute, but systems need to evolve faster to support them. Whether through better training pathways, stronger workplace supports, or smarter use of technology, panelists agreed that meaningful change will require collaboration, innovation, and a more people-centred approach.
Missed the webinar? Watch the recording to hear directly from healthcare leaders and workforce experts about the ideas, innovations, and solutions helping shape the future of healthcare in Canada.