Ontario rolls out programs to boost health staffing

‘Practice-ready’ program for internationally trained physicians means 50 new doctors by 2024: province

Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones says the province is now starting three programs aimed at bolstering staffing in the health-care sector.

These were previously announced but are launching now are:

• A $40-million fund to encourage health-care providers to better connect patients to services.

• A program to allow internationally trained physicians to work more quickly.

• A nursing mentor program. Hospitals across the province are grappling with a shortage of nurses that has led to dozens of temporary emergency room closures — the arbitrator who set hospital nurses’ new contract says there are 9,000 registered nurse vacancies.

The Models of Care Innovation Fund will give funding to hospitals, family health teams and other health organizations for projects to allow faster access to care and boost health-care worker capacity, such as a staffing pool between hospitals and virtual peer support for ER doctors in rural areas.

A Clinical Scholar Program will pair an experienced front-line nurse as a mentor with newly graduated or internationally trained nurses, which Jones said will both help those nurses and help retain experienced nurses.

As well, the province said, a “practiceready” program for internationally trained physicians removes barriers for them and will see 50 new doctors working in Ontario by 2024. The Canadian Press

Canada welcomes new citizens on it’s 156th Birthday

cont’d from pg. 1 the fact that Canada’s population recently passed 40 million.”Given the citizenship ceremony we just had, we’re now at least 40 million,” Trudeau said.

But the prime minister also mentioned issues facing Canada and the world, including climate change, natural disasters, the war in Ukraine and rising prices.

“But no matter the challenges we face, we will get through it the same way we always do — by staying true to our values,” Trudeau said.

“Values like justice, openness and democracy. That’s Canada’s advantage in the world, now more than ever.”

Earlier Saturday, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon released her Canada Day message, saying there’s work to do for Canadians to combat climate change, to “care for our mental health in the same way we do our physical health,” and “overcome obstacles to equality, fairness, justice and inclusion.”

In his own video message released earlier on Saturday, Trudeau said Canadians can take pride in a country that’s the “envy of the world,” where “differences are celebrated and diversity is embraced.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shares his Canada Day message ahead of celebrations across the country.

“People fleeing violence and persecution dream of a life here. Businesses open headquarters in our cities and manufacturing plants in our towns. And world leaders look up to us for leadership in times of crisis,” he said.

As part of commemorating Canada Day, several people expressed their hopes for the future, including keeping the country open to immigrants and refugees, that society keeps growing and becoming more accepting and that meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous people happens.