McMaster, PEI Partner to Ease Medical Practice in Canada for Foreign-Trained Doctors
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McMaster University and PEI have introduced a new fellowship program to support internationally-trained doctors. The initiative offers specialized training and a path to licensure in Canada.
A new initiative by McMaster University and the Government of Prince Edward Island aims to ease the path for internationally trained doctors to practice in Canada. The PEI-McMaster Collaborative Hospitalist Fellowship offers a one-year internal medicine training program tailored to international medical graduates (IMGs). This fellowship is designed to help them meet licensing requirements and begin practicing in PEI.
Upon successful completion of the program, participating physicians will be required to serve in Prince Edward Island for a minimum of one year. This not only supports local healthcare needs but also offers IMGs a clear and practical route to employment within the Canadian system.
To qualify, candidates must hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status and fulfill other criteria set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of PEI. Preference will be given to those eligible to take the Royal College internal medicine exam through the Practice Eligibility Route (PER), reinforcing a commitment to high standards in medical care.
Details of the PEI-McMaster Collaborative Fellowship
This newly launched fellowship is a collaborative venture between the Government of PEI and McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. With support from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of PEI, the initiative is designed to help internationally trained physicians integrate into Canada’s healthcare system while also addressing local healthcare staffing needs.
Health PEI will be responsible for selecting and funding eligible candidates, with the long-term goal of increasing the number of internal medicine practitioners in the province. Most of the fellowship’s training, 12 out of 13 blocks, will take place at McMaster, with the final block hosted in PEI to ensure familiarity with the province’s healthcare environment.
The program takes inspiration from the success of Dr. Ali Abdullah, an internationally trained doctor who completed a hospitalist fellowship at McMaster and began practicing in PEI in 2024. This model showcases how targeted training and local partnerships can create sustainable solutions to physician shortages in smaller provinces.
Also Read: Canada Eases Job Transition for Foreign Workers in New Policy
Addressing Licensing Challenges for International Medical Graduates in Canada
International medical graduates (IMGs) often encounter multiple obstacles when trying to get licensure to practice medicine in Canada. One of the biggest challenges lies in securing a residency position, a crucial step involving supervised clinical training over several years. However, most residency placements across provinces are primarily allocated to graduates of Canadian medical schools, leaving IMGs with limited access to these critical opportunities.
With IMGs competing for only about 10% of available residency spots, this bottleneck has prompted medical regulatory bodies and governments to explore alternative licensing pathways. These efforts aim to create more inclusive options for qualified international physicians, recognizing their potential to help address healthcare workforce shortages while maintaining Canadian medical standards.
Immigration as a Vital Source for Canada’s Healthcare Workforce
Canada continues to recognize immigration as a key solution to address the national shortage of healthcare professionals. The PEI-McMaster Fellowship is part of a broader trend focused on making it easier for internationally trained medical experts to integrate into the Canadian healthcare system.
Here are a few examples of how Canada is responding to the rising demand in healthcare.
- In 2023, the federal government launched category-based immigration draws to prioritize foreign-trained healthcare professionals.
- In 2025, more roles, like therapists and social workers, were added to the healthcare category under IRCC’s priority list.
- A temporary federal policy now allows physicians to count self-employment experience in select Express Entry programs.
- Ontario updated its nomination program in 2025 to help self-employed physicians qualify more easily under Express Entry.
- Several provinces, like BC, NB, PEI, and Saskatchewan, now focus immigration invitations on healthcare-related occupations.
- Incentives for internationally trained medical workers have been introduced by provinces including Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and PEI.
Explore: Canada Identifies Key Occupations, Sectors in Pictou County for Rural PR Program
Canada Immigration for Foreign Trained Doctors Made Easy with GetGIS
Canada is actively welcoming internationally trained healthcare professionals through targeted programs and streamlined licensing pathways. The PEI-McMaster fellowship is a clear step in that direction. GetGIS can help you immigrate to Canada with ease through personalized visa support and job search assistance.
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